“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth….” Isaiah 42:9-10

 New

 Don’t you love the word new? It gives hope and a sense of freshness! New years come and go, but the new beginning always excited me. If the previous year had been hard, I looked forward to a new page. If it was a good year, I looked forward to how it could even be better.

I always look forward to new freshness with the LORD. I know “His mercies and compassions are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23). Maybe it’s our society that has put an emphasis on “New Start” at the changing of each year, but I will accept the invitation by taking time to reevaluate things I have done right, and mistakes I made—things that have succeeded, and failures; convictions I need to pay attention to, and opportunities for growth, especially in my walk with the Lord; challenges I need to step into that I’ve put off, and fears I need to turn into faith, trusting the LORD’s nudge proceeding forward as He peels away the old and helps me to face the new.

I look forward to those stony areas of my heart being made new (Ezekiel 36) as the LORD sprinkles His clean water on me for His Name’s sake and because of His great mercy and kindness. He continues to change us into useable vessels for Him! I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart would be acceptable to Him (Psalm 19:14). “Because your lovingkindness, O LORD, is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands to Your Name” (Psalm 63:3-4).

I love that the LORD meets each of us face to face when we cry out to Him with open hearts. We can trust His promise: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). We can embrace His promises, walk in obedience, and trust His Word for His “best” to happen.

“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!” (Isaiah 43:19). I know this verse is Israel-specific, looking forward to the New Covenant in Christ, but we are living in new covenant times when we live in Christ’s salvation by faith. When we trust Him, He does make all things new, for His best result and glory, and for our good.

Let’s look forward to our days ahead with hope in His promises, seeking His truth and presence.

Dear LORD, to You be the glory! Our days are committed to Your capable hands. Amen.