Isaiah 43:18-19

New International Version

“Forget the former things;

    do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

    and streams in the wasteland.

For Encouragement

Are you stuck in 2023, expecting nothing new this year? Has discouragement already set in for you? Why is it difficult to believe that your life will be different for you than last year? I challenge you to read Isaiah 43 and allow God’s encouraging promises to Israel to give you hope. Renew your mind about the goodness of the Almighty God who has gifted this year to you, and wake up to the new realities of every day, week, and month of the year!

In this chapter of Isaiah, God talks vividly to Israel about a glorious future restoration. The imagery is refreshing and captivating. Look back on the history of Israel and see the marvelous things God did to deliver them from Egypt and the extraordinary wonders He performed at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, and until Canaan. Nothing in the history of the nations equals them. 

Israel, however, never appreciated anything. They remained a grumbling nation, complaining in Egypt under slavery (Exodus 3:7) and when in freedom (Numbers 11:5-6). Yesterday did not fade away for them. Preferring their past to their now, they never enjoyed freedom’s blessedness. Defeat and exile, therefore, defined their history—like an eagle that refuses to fly. Shameful! Unfortunately, that’s how some of us prefer to live.

The prophet Isaiah, however, came with a message of hope—a beautiful picture of a new thing God is doing. It is an uncommon thing beyond their wildest imagination. He tells them to forget the old things and not dwell on the past. The new project requires a renewed focus. A new way will open up in the desert, and streams will spring up in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19). That is good news to hold their imagination, and enough for us too.

Nothing has changed with God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We draw strength from His dealings with Israel—His promises and their manifestations. His new things are emerging everywhere in our day – in your life, marriage, health, and finances, the reason we can expect refreshing springs and demonstrations of His mighty power in our ruined or stalemated situations.

So, hear God through Isaiah’s prophesy to Israel: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Open your eyes to see His surprises spring up around you to delight your heart and position yourself to receive them.

Watch out, though, because it is possible to look and not see (Matthew 13:13). No one puts new wine into old wineskin (Mark 2:22). They require attitudinal changes to help experience the new things God is doing in your life. 

The question is: Can you trust the God of new things? Can you believe God to water your desert and divinely refresh your life despite your gloomy projections (Isaiah 43:1)?

The Sovereign God is your Lord. Why don’t you let this truth transform your perspective for this year?