"Behold, God is Doing a New Thing!"
Key Verse: Isaiah 43:19 – “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.”
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As we step into this New Year, let us thank God for His unchanging faithfulness and abundant grace that has carried us through the past year. May this year bring divine blessings, renewed hope, and fresh opportunities in each of your lives.
The promise from Isaiah 43:19 is a powerful reminder that our God is not a passive observer but an active Creator who continues to work in and through our lives. This promise, given to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon, was a message of hope and renewal. They were a people in despair, looking back at their glorious past and feeling that their future held no promise. But God, in His infinite wisdom, declared, “Behold, I am doing a new thing!” It was a call to shift their gaze from the past and focus on the new blessings and direction He was about to unveil.
Today, this promise speaks to us just as powerfully as it did to the Israelites. As we stand at the threshold of this new year, many of us might feel as though we’re in our own kind of “wilderness” or “desert.” The wilderness represents times of confusion, where life seems uncertain, and we feel lost or stuck. Perhaps it’s the wilderness of health struggles, financial challenges, or strained relationships. The desert represents barrenness—a place of emptiness and lack, where we might feel spiritually dry or emotionally exhausted. Yet, even in these places, God declares that He is at work. He promises to make a way in the wilderness and provide streams in the desert.
The way in the wilderness speaks of direction and guidance. In a world filled with uncertainty and unexpected turns, God assures us that He will lead us. His way is not merely a path; it is a divine provision of hope and clarity, a promise that we will not remain lost but will find purpose and meaning in His plan. Imagine hikers lost in a dense forest, unable to find their way. Suddenly, they see a trail marked out for them—a way that leads them to safety. That’s what God promises to do for us in this New Year. He will be our guide, leading us step by step, even when the path ahead seems unclear.
The streams in the desert symbolize provision and sustenance. In our moments of dryness, when we feel we have nothing left to give or that life has drained us, God promises to refresh us. Just as water brings life to a parched land, God’s provision brings restoration to our weary souls. Whether it’s through answered prayers, unexpected blessings, or renewed strength to face challenges, God’s streams will flow into the deserts of our lives, reminding us that He is our ultimate source.
As I conclude, let me share a story that captures the essence of this promise. There was a little boy flying a kite with great joy. He loved watching it soar high into the sky, and his only desire was for it to fly higher and farther. One day, an eagle saw the kite and asked, “How are you flying so high without wings like mine?” The kite, proud of its success, replied, “I could go even higher if not for this string holding me back.” The eagle, trying to help, cut the string, and the kite, instead of soaring higher, lost its balance and came crashing down. The kite realized too late that it was the string, held by the boy, that gave it the ability to soar high.
Similarly, as we enter this New Year, let us remember that it is not by our own strength or wisdom that we rise, but by staying connected to God’s guidance and provision. When we remain in His hands, He will enable us to soar higher than we could ever imagine.
Let us dedicate this year to God, trusting that He will make a way in our wilderness, provide streams in our desert, and give us a new vision to walk into His promises. May God bless you abundantly in this New Year. Amen!
Revd. Prasad Vasanthakumar
January 2025