Something New (2)

Isaiah 43:16–21 NIV84

16 This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

1. Don’t look back to perceive what is ahead

Perceive is defined as to become aware of through the senses

All of your senses must be engaged to understand what God is doing

God is doing a new thing all around us

God is breaking down strongholds, transforming dark places into light places, and making hardened hearts into soft and compassionate hearts

God is giving wealth to the impoverished, bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, hope to the hopeless, and faith to the faithless

God is doing a new thing everywhere

2. God is doing something new in the desert

Desert is a land having very wam climate and receiving less than 10 inches of sporadic rainfall annually

Desert is a dry place

Desert is a place where vegetation is rare

Desert is hot

Desert is lonely

Desert is lifeless

Desert is dusty

The desert can’t keep you from the love of God

God is doing something new in the desert

God is making a way in the desert

3. God is doing something new in the wasteland

Wasteland is a barren or uncultivated land; an ugly often devastated or barely inhabitable place or area; unsatisfying place

Without fresh water

Wasteland is a place where dreams waste away

Wasteland is a place where hope wastes away

Wasteland is a place where faith wastes away

Wasteland is a place without anointing

But God is bringing streams in the wasteland

God is renewing those who have lost hope

God is refreshing those who lost faith

God is turning unsatisfying places into fruitful places

God is --- God can

4. Do something new to start something new

Don’t keep doing what you’ve always done

Pray with more purpose

Give more

Serve more

Spend more time with God

Believe

Quit fear

Quit anger

Quit judgment

Quit sin

Read His Word

5. Lord, do something new in me