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 wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
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.
We serve an amazing God. We serve a God of love, mercy, and abundant blessings. Our God does amazing things for us (and through us) as we walk in His holy love.
Has God ever performed particularly lavish expressions of grace towards you? Did He send you money when your needs outweighed your resources? Did He heal you from an affliction in an extraordinary way? Did the Holy Spirit bring people into your life to comfort you, protect you, or disciple you?
Imagine how the Hebrew people felt when God demonstrated His power by parting the Red Sea, leading the Israelites to escape their bondage, and then burying the Egyptian army in the sea—“extinguished, snuffed out like a wick.” God’s people are now free. They are now on their way to a land flowing with milk and honey. They are “new” people. The future is bright with possibilities. The Exodus story becomes central to their identity.
They have this incredible story about God’s deliverance, but now God says through the prophet Isaiah, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Huh???
God explains that He is doing a “new thing.” He says it is discernible, and it is happening now. God is making a way for His chosen people. God directs streams to the wastelands providing drink for His people—those He created to declare His praise.
It is great to remember and give thanks for God’s faithfulness in the past. But sometimes in our remembrance, we forget to look at what God is doing now. Is God forming you for Himself? Are you focused on your spiritual history or the possibilities of your future with Him?
God has a new thing for you right now. Can you see it?
Author: Bryan Merrill
Other Lenten readings for today:
- Philippians 3:4b-14
- John 12:1-8
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