Embracing God's New Beginnings

Embracing God's New Beginnings - Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

19 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.

May God bless the reading, hearing, and understanding of His precious Word. Let's have a word of prayer.

Let Us Pray

Confession of Faith: I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus' Name!

Intro: In the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, it's easy to feel lost and overwhelmed. Yet, in Isaiah 43:19, God offers us a powerful reminder: He is always at work, creating new paths and possibilities where we see none. This message was delivered to the Israelites during a time of exile and despair, assuring them of God's unchanging faithfulness and His ability to bring about miraculous change.

Let me give you some background

Isaiah 43 is a part of the Book of Isaiah, often referred to as the "Book of Consolation." It was written to the people of Judah during their Babylonian exile, a period marked by great suffering and a sense of abandonment. Despite their circumstances, God, through the prophet Isaiah, reassures them of His plans for their redemption and restoration. He promises to do a "new thing," highlighting His power to make a way even in the most challenging situations.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV): "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."

"See, I am doing a new thing!"

This opening declaration is a bold proclamation from God, signaling a shift from the past to a new reality. It emphasizes God's initiative and His power to create and innovate.

"Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

God is not only doing something new, but it is already beginning to manifest. The rhetorical question challenges the listeners to be attentive and recognize the new work God is initiating. It calls for spiritual awareness and sensitivity to God's movements.

"I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Making a way through the desert and putting streams through the wasteland are strong and moving images. The wilderness and wasteland represent desolation, difficulty, and lifelessness. God’s promise to create a path and provide water symbolizes guidance, sustenance, and transformation. It reassures the Israelites that God can bring life and hope to even the most barren and hopeless situations.

Life Examples Applicable to Today for Isaiah 43:19

Career Change or Job Loss

Situation: You have been working in a company for years, and suddenly, you lose your job due to downsizing or restructuring. This can be a distressing and uncertain time.

Application: Isaiah 43:19 reminds you that God is doing a new thing. Even in this wilderness of unemployment, God is creating a new path for you. Perhaps this is an opportunity to pursue a new career path, start a business, or develop new skills. Trust that God is guiding you toward a better future, even if the way forward is not yet clear.

Personal Crisis or Health Challenges

Situation: You or a loved one are facing a serious health challenge or a personal crisis, such as a divorce or the loss of a loved one. The future seems bleak and uncertain.

Application: In the middle of this desert, God says he will make a way and bring water to the dry areas. This might come in the form of new treatment options, unexpected support from friends and family, or discovering new inner strength and resilience. Trust that God is with you, providing the sustenance you need to navigate through this difficult time.

It’s Time to move

Situation: You have to relocate to a new city ,a new apartment, new house or country for work ,family or personal reasons. The move is scary, and you feel like you're going somewhere you've never been before or doing something you have never done before

Application: Isaiah 43:19 encourages you to see this move as God doing a new thing in your life. Embrace the opportunity to start fresh, meet new people, and experience new cultures. God is making a way for you in this new place, providing opportunities for growth and new experiences.

Overcoming Addiction or Bad Habits

Situation: You are struggling with an addiction or a bad habit that seems to control your life. Breaking free feels impossible, and the path to recovery seems insurmountable.

Application: Isaiah 43:19 reassures you that God is doing a new thing in your life. He can make a way for you to overcome this addiction, providing the strength, support, and resources you need. Seek help through counseling, support groups, and prayer, trusting that God is with you every step of the way.

Now lean In

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God's declaration of His good plans for His people serves as a reassurance of His benevolence and faithfulness, even in times of uncertainty. Trust that God's plans are for your well-being. He desires to give you hope and a promising future.

Ok, so check this out: there is a connection between Isaiah 43:19, which is a deep promise from God that He will do something new and clear a path in the desert, and Jeremiah 29:11. Both of these books were written when the Israelites were going through hard times and didn't know what would happen next. Isaiah 43:19 tells us that God is actively working in our lives to turn hopelessness into action, and Jeremiah 29:11 says even more about God's good plans for His people. It the idea that God's thoughts are always peaceful and good, even when we arer going through hard times. He sees a bright future for us. When we read these verses together, they tell us that God always cares about our well-being and is able to make new beginnings happen, even when things are hard.

Now, let’s go a little deeper

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

ok so, we established the connection between Isaiah 43:19, the promise from God that He will do something new and make a way in the desert, and Jeremiah 29:11 the thoughts God has about you and me ! Now add Romans 8:28 to the mix!

Isaiah 43:19 tells us that God is at work in our lives, turning hopelessness into action. In Jeremiah 29:11, it says that even when things are hard, God's plans for us are full of peace, wealth, and hope. Now Romans 8:28 tells us that we can believe that God is in charge because He works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His plan. All of these verses together show how much God cares about our well-being and how He can start over in a way that is perfect, guiding us through every struggle with His divine plan and purpose. God is doing a new thing! Embrace the new beginning!

When we mess it up - God can fix it and make it better than you or I could even imagine!

Now if Isaiah 43:9 and Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28 can’t get you excited about possibilities let’s look at

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

The text says” "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

"Being confident of this"

Paul expresses a strong, unwavering confidence. This confidence is not in the Your own abilities but in God’s faithfulness and power. So things are not what you hoped they would be - it’s time for New Beginnings

"That he who began a good work in you"

The "good work" refers to the salvation and sanctification process initiated by God in our lives as Christ followers, as Christians as Believers. This life is about the journey! I am on a journey, You are on a journey our journey because of God’s initiative and God’s grace.

"Will carry it on to completion"

This phrase emphasizes God’s commitment to continue and perfect the work He started. It reassures believers that God will not abandon them or leave His work unfinished.

"Until the day of Christ Jesus"

The "day of Christ Jesus" refers to the second coming of Christ, a time when believers will be fully redeemed and sanctified. This timeline provides an ultimate assurance that God’s work will be ongoing until it reaches its final fulfillment.

When we think about Isaiah 43:19, where God says He will do something new and make a way in the desert, we see how it ties in beautifully with Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, and Philippians 1:6. Isaiah 43:19 tells us that God is at work in our lives, turning despair into movement. Jeremiah 29:11 says that even when we are in isolation and things are hard, God's plans for us are full of peace, wealth, and hope. Romans 8:28 tells us that we can believe that God is in charge because He works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His plan. Then Philippians 1:6which says that God, who started a good work in us, will see it through to the end until the day of Christ Jesus. All of these verses together show how much God cares about our well-being and how brilliantly He can start over, guiding us through every struggle with His divine plan and purpose and faithfully finishing the work He began in us.

So let me close this out:

No matter what is happening in your life! whether you are in a storm right now, or life is about to throw you into a storm, or you just got out of a storm, think about the texts we just shared. God is doing a "new thing" in our lives. We can believe that God is making a way for us, even when we are having personal problems, problems at work, or spiritual dry spells. Ok let me leave you with a couple of applications

1.Pray and ask God to show you His plans and give you the wisdom to see how He is working in your life. 2. Have faith that God knows just the right time. Be patient as He carries out His plans, even if you don't see effects right away. 3. Even if you don't know what to do next, take steps of faith. Have faith that God will lead you and give you what you need. 4. Tell other people how you see God working in your life to encourage them. Your story can encourage and inspire those around you.

God bless you and keep you is my prayer