God Is Doing A New Thing

Illustration remembering what you used to look like and the things you used to be able to do.

Isaiah lived in momentous times for Israel and Judah. Both nations had experienced prosperity during the first half of the eighth century b.c. But not long after the midpoint of the century, the Assyrians appeared on the horizon like a dark, ominous storm cloud.

As a messenger of Israel’s and Judah’s covenant Lord, Isaiah warned that God’s people were about to be judged for breaking their covenant with Him. Though their punishment would be severe, God would ultimately judge the nations as well and reestablish His people in their land.

Robert B. Chisholm, “The Major Prophets,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 262.

Robert B. Chisholm, “The Major Prophets,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 261.

At the time of this writing Israel in is Babylonian captivity.

As a messenger of Israel’s and Judah’s covenant Lord, Isaiah warned that God’s people were about to be judged for breaking their covenant with Him. Though their punishment would be severe, God would ultimately judge the nations as well and reestablish His people in their land.

At the time of this writing Israel in is Babylonian captivity.

God, in verses 18–21, asks Israel to forget this past deliverance from Egypt for He is going to give her a future deliverance from spiritual Egypt that will so eclipse the former deliverance that it will make the former one unworthy of mention. God will, at His Second Advent, make a way of deliverance for His people from end-time Babylon.

God is in the position to do a new thing for Israel. But, in our text today, He prepares them by way of command, exclamation and declaration. God promises to do something new in the lives of His people who are being held captive. There are two requirements God has for you as He is doing a new thing in your life.

He command them

There are two requirements of God has for you as He is doing a new thing in your life.

Don’t Get Stuck in the Past

Israel experienced both victories and failures in the past.

Their victories

Exodus from Egypt (Red Sea)

The Passover

Conquering the Promised Land

Winning battles of Jericho and Ai

Our people have had some victories too.

Our victories

Overcoming slavery

Overcoming segregation

Having a black president in our life time.

Having the right to vote

Having a black president in our life time.

Even though we’ve all had some victories back then, we can’t get stuck in the past. Because we also shared some failures.

Their failures

They complained in the wilderness,

God delivered at the Red Sea, but thought He brought them to the wilderness to die.

God gave them gold when they left Egypt, but they used it to make golden calf to worship.

God gave them temples to worship Him, but they worshiped idol gods.

They took the ten commandments and used them like ten suggestions.

Our failures

God gave us jobs to sustain us, but we have replaced Him with our jobs.

God gave us a right to vote and make a difference, but we don’t go to the polls to vote.

God has saved us, but we still choose to not to serve Him.

God has provided for us, yet we still complain.

Even though Israel failed, God still wanted to bless them, forgive them and restore them.

Even though we, have failed God, He still wants to bless us, forgive us, restore us and set us free from what’s holding us captive.

But if God is gonna do this for us, we cannot get stuck in the past.

We have to move forward and.....

Start Focusing On the Present

I am doing a new thing is not a declaration, but an exclamation. That is, God is excited about what He is about to do for Israel.

God has already began to put people and plans in place to restore Israel from exile. Now It already springs forth.

But God raises a question do you not perceive it.

But God raises a question do you not perceive it.

He ask Israel if they are aware of what He is doing? They know what He is capable from past experience, but he is about to do something for them that will make the past pale in comparison.

What do you see when you look at your life? Are concentrating on your problems or your possibilities?

He ask Israel if they are aware of what He is doing? They know what He is capable from past experience, but he is about to do something for them that will make the past pale in comparison.

Israel may have been physically delivered from Egypt, but God is now going to deliver them spiritually.

Israel may

God may have saved us hell when we came to Christ and joined the church. For many it just a physical relocation.

But now He wants to do something new and that is to deliver us spiritually.

What i’m saying is He kept us out of hell, but now he wants to get the hell out of us.

God promises to make a way, a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

He wants Israel to know that He is about to do what appears to be difficult and near impossible.

Isaiah 35:8 ESV

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Just as God wanted to help Israel in the difficult times of their life, God wants to help you in the difficult times of your life.

He wants to make a road for you that will lead to a holy life.

It ain’t for everybody to travel, its for His people, even if they cut up and act a fool, they won’t go astray.

God will do this new thing for Israel so that they will praise Him, for He formed them for that purpose.

If God promises to do a new thing in your life, don’t get stuck in the past. And start concentrating on the present.

God will do a new thing in your life so you will praise Him, thats why He created you.

Are you willing to let Him do it?

Can you see what God is doing in your life.

You’re not here by coincidence today, but by divine providence.

And wants to do a new thing in your life.

Will you accept God’s new plan for your life?

He wants to set you free from whats holding you captive.

He wants to free you from your fears.

He wants to free you from the guilt your past mistakes.

He wants to free you from your addictions.

He wants to free you ways of this wicked world.

God wants do a New Thing in your life

Instead of leaving Israel basking in the memories of Moses

God did a new thing through Jesus.

Who was born of a virgin

Whose birth father was God

Who lived and never sinned

Who died on Calvary for the of sins of His people

Who reconciled God’s people back to Him.

Who is sacrifice of sacrifices.

Who is Lord of Lord and King of Kings

God is doing a new thing

And He’s through Jesus

He is the way, the truth and the life

Can see it now, what God is doing?

If you want to be set free.... say yes