There is an excitement that thrills the heart when someone experiences something new primarily because it holds the promise of a fresh start.
“New”, as an adjective, means:
1. of recent origin, production, purchase, etc.; having but lately come or been brought into being: a new book.
2. of a kind now existing or appearing for the first time; novel: a new concept of the universe.
3. having but lately or but now come into knowledge: a new chemical element.
4. unfamiliar or strange (often followed by to ): ideas new to us; to visit new lands.
5. having but lately come to a place, position, status, etc.: a reception for our new minister.
6. recently produced by a change; as a new life
Word Study
“New” describes things that have not existed or have not been known or seen before.
“New” describes things that have not existed or have not been known or seen before.
“New” refers to something recently made, grown, or built, or recently found, invented, or discovered: a new car; new techniques.
One treasure that I would like to share with you today is found in Isaiah 43:18-21, NKJV.
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. …Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.”
The Message:
“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands…Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.
Amplified:
Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert;…because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen, The people I formed for Myself, that they may set forth My praise [and they shall do it].
Another word that is important for us to examine is the word ‘consider‘; which means:
1. To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to think on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on.
2. To think seriously, maturely or carefully; to reflect.
The word of God is instructing us not to fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination of the things of old; not to think on with care or to ponder or study or meditate on the things of the old–or the past–because He is doing a new thing!
By constantly looking back at the past, this will prevent us from being in the moment. It will hinder us from enjoying and appreciating what God is doing in our lives. It will also hinder our ability to hook up with what God is currently doing because our minds are preoccupied or cluttered with the past. God wants us to have sound sense; a strong presence of mind. He wants us to be quick. He wants us to be alert.
Isaiah 48:6 says, “I have made you hear new things from this time, even hidden things, and you did not know them.” Set your affections on things above, so that you can hear the Father’s voice as He speaks to your heart concerning the ‘new things’ that is bursting out in your lives.
It doesn’t matter the pain, disappointments, failures, set backs, achievements, or accomplishments that you have experienced in the past. Your past is not greater than the King of kings! Your past is not greater than I AM! God is greater by far and He is doing a new thing in your lives. Your future is bright! Behold, God makes ALL things new!
Consider, for a moment, the struggles or difficulties that Joseph experienced: sold into slavery; falsely accused; cast into prison. In spite of it all, God was with Joseph in every season of his life. Because Joseph was a man in whom the Spirit of God dwelt, Joseph was an overcomer! He didn’t become stuck in the past. God did a new thing for him.
Listen to Joseph’s triumphant cry of victory as he chose names for his children. The names that he gave to his children testified of the faithfulness of his God.
Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” (Genesis 41:51)
Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:52)
Be encouraged today! I pray that the Holy Spirit will hover over you as He did over the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2. I pray that the Holy Spirit will breathe on you and that by breathing His life into you, you will be empowered to change your focus from being stuck in the past to a mind that is alert in the spirit. I pray that you will forget the former things and by faith, embrace the new things that God will do in your lives. See with the eyes of faith, as it springs forth and embrace the new things which your heavenly Father longs to give you!
This one thing I would encourage you to do and it is this: “Forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead. Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14).
The new thing that God has for you is far better and greater than the old; so let go of the old. Release it and watch God make all things new in your life!