*****Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18–19 (NRSV)

18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah the prophet lived and ministered during a difficult season in Israel’s history. The Northern Kingdom had already fallen to the Assyrians, while judgment and captivity loomed for Judah, the Southern Kingdom. His ministry involved a continual call for repentance, in an effort to warn the people of the wrath to come, and return to God.

The opening verses of this chapter are very familiar, and they provide some context for the verses we have read. The people knew Isaiah, even if they failed to heed his message. He sought to remind Judah of the God they served. He affirmed Him as their Creator, Redeemer, LORD, and the Holy One of Israel. He offered a reminder of the God’s graciousness to Israel in leading them out of Egypt’s bondage. His thoughts spoke of God’s unwavering faithfulness to many generations. While many in Judah were aware of the Lord and His mighty acts among Israel, most of the events Isaiah reminded them of were in the past. While they knew of these mighty acts, they had not personally experienced them. Our situation today is much different, and yet there are similarities. We hear much of the “glory days” of the church. We read of the Great Awakening and revivals of the past. While these are wonderful memories of former days, we find ourselves struggling in today’s environment. Personally, we may think of better days in the past – times when life was simpler, when we felt better physically, and weren’t as stressed financially. It is easy to dwell on former things, and we ought to be thankful for previous blessings, but we cannot live in the past.

With these thoughts in mind, I want to discuss the admonitions of the Lord as we consider:

Trusting a New Thing.

I. The Challenge regarding our Past (18) – Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. God spoke of their past and how they were to respond.

Consider: A. The Danger in Remembrance – Keep in mind that Isaiah had just given them a summary of God’s faithfulness regarding their past, and yet the Lord admonished them forget the former things and not consider the things of old. Why would He challenge them in such a way?

God understood the dangers of dwelling in the past, and the inherent tendency to do so. If they focused on past defeats, they would lack courage for new challenges; if they rested in past victories, they would lack the desire to pursue new heights. Dwelling in the past could create a sense of crippling fear or detrimental complacency. Either would hinder their walk with the Lord.

 I am in no way implying that the Bible teaches that we should strive to erase all memory of our past. Those who fail to learn from their past are bound to repeat the same mistakes. I have experienced much joy that continues to provide strength and encouragement.

However, we must not allow past experiences to be the only factor in determining future pursuits.

We have all been hurt in the past, but we cannot allow that to paralyze us with fear for the future. There have been seasons of joy and great victory, but as great as they were, they are not sufficient for today. We cannot live in fear or complacency. We can learn from past mistakes, and rejoice in past victories, while continuing our pursuit for spiritual maturity and fulfillment.

B. The Difficulty of Resistance (18) – Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. This is a simple statement that is easily understood, but it is quite difficult to put into practice. The people of Judah had grown complacent within their borders. The nation had been blessed of the Lord and protected by His mighty hand. It was easy for them to assume nothing would hinder their prosperity, regardless of the sin in their lives. They assumed that God would continue to pour out His blessing, regardless of the lives they lived. It was difficult to resist such complacency and error in thought.

 While the mighty miracles of the past would remain a staple in Israel’s history, God would do a work among this generation that would cause them to forget the former things and rejoice in His present grace and power. Jer.16:14-15 – Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; [15] But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. This generation would need the grace and provision of God, and He would prove Himself faithful to them in their hour of need.

 We tend to believe that the days of revival and spiritual awakening are gone and they will never return. We may never experience them like former generations did, but that doesn’t mean that the Lord is limited in His power or that He is no longer working in the hearts of men. The Lord remains seated on His throne, making intercession for us. His power to save was not bound within a specific season of time. Every believer has access to the throne of grace and the indwelling of the Spirit. The Lord is still saving today. We must remain faithful to Him, trusting His power. The same Lord who delivered us from sin continues to do so today. The same Lord who met our needs yesterday remains in power today. We have nothing to fear; He is in control.

II. The Challenge regarding our Future (19) – Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Here Isaiah revealed the words of the Lord regarding their future. Consider:

A. God’s Promise (19a) – Behold, I will do a new thing. While they had focused on the past, God promised to do a new thing in their lives. They would not have to settle for memories of days gone by, but they could rest in the present promises of their God. Just as God had been faithful at the Red Sea, He would be faithful to provide for the remnant following their captivity in Babylon.

 While we can rejoice in the blessing and provision of God in the past, we need not fear Him forsaking us in our moment of difficulty. He has always proven faithful to His people, and He will not neglect us in the journey. We too can rest in the promises of our Lord.

B. God’s Presence (19b) – now it shall spring forth. In their moment of need, the provision and power of God would spring forth in their lives. They would not have to settle for memories of the past, but would find the real presence of God in their midst as well.

 I am glad our Lord is not limited in His power or presence. He is more than able to meet each of our needs, and reveal Himself to each of us. We have the privilege of making our intercessions known to Him, with the promise of His presence in our lives. We don’t have to wait for our prayers to make it through a committee to see if they are worthy of His attention. We don’t have to wait until He finishes with another need before He can address ours. His gracious, mighty presence is available at the very moment we need it! Heb.4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

C. God’s Power (19c) – Shall ye not know it? God promised to work in such a way within their individual lives that there would be no question or doubt. His grace and provision would be undeniable. Those within Judah, and even those from without, would know with certainty that God had moved and met their need.

 No doubt we have all experienced burdens and needs that were beyond our ability to handle or control. We found ourselves in a moment of desperation, completely unable to resolve the difficulty we faced. In our desperation, we cried out unto the Lord by faith, and He graciously met our need. There was no question that He had moved in our situation. We stood in awe, completely amazed at the provision and grace of our Lord. We were forced to bow in humble appreciation for His act of love and grace. I am thankful for those moments when the Lord moves in such a way that it is undeniable that He met our need. We come before Him in a beautiful moment of worship and appreciation.

D. God’s Provision (19d) – I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. God promised, following their captivity in Babylon, that He would do amazing things among them. He would work wonders among His people, making a way through the wilderness and rivers of water to flow in the desert. He would meet every need that had according to His divine will through His mighty power!

 We serve the same Lord today. He has not changed. He is more than able to provide a path of safety and stability through our wilderness of adversity and chaos. Not only will He make a way, but He will be there to walk with us as we make the trip. He can make a river of blessing flow in your desert of despair. He provides that refreshing drink from the well of His grace. He is able to do the impossible in order to meet our need. You have never had a problem that He couldn’t handle. You have never had a need so great that He lacked sufficient resources to provide. You have never lacked anything that He is unable to supply!

 I am so thankful for the day He came to me as I wondered in the desert of sin, alone and separated from Him. He provided that well of living water in my time of need, lifting me out of the mire of sin and placing me on the path of righteousness. There have been times since when I have strayed and became thirsty for Him. He was always faithful to show me the right path and nourish my soul. I am safe and secure in Jesus. I rejoice to be walking with Him today. I am thankful for the New Thing he provided in my life and the lives of countless others!

Conclusion: Are you struggling Are you trapped in the past, afraid to step out into your future? Are you walking with the Lord, having been saved by His grace? Whatever the need is, our gracious Lord has a New Thing for you today. He wants to guide you in a path of righteousness, while experiencing His grace. Come to Him for the needs in your life. He is more than able to provide whatever you need.