“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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. Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV

 

The book of Isaiah is a collection of prophecies that were given to the nation of Israel during a time of great upheaval. The nation had been split into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, and both were facing threats from neighbouring nations.

 

Isaiah was called by God to prophesy to the people of Israel and to call them back to a right relationship with him. In today’s verse, God reminds the Israelites of the great things he has done in the past, like parting the Red Sea and delivering them from Egypt, but He also tells them not to dwell on these things.

 

Instead, God tells them to forget the former things and to focus on what he is going to do in the future.

 

In the ancient Near East, water was a precious commodity, and the idea of having a stream in the desert was nothing short of miraculous. The desert is often used in the Bible as a symbol of desolation and spiritual dryness. By promising to make streams in the desert, God is promising to bring new life and vitality to his people.

 

Like the nation of Israel, we can sometimes get stuck in the past and forget to look forward to what God has in store for us. By forgetting the former things and focusing on what God is going to do in the future, we can embrace the changes in our lives and trust in God's plan.

 

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your promise to do a new thing in our lives. Help us to let go of the past and trust you for the future. Give us eyes to see the new thing that you are doing in us and the courage to follow where you lead. Amen.