a new thing

A child of God ought never lose that sense of awe and wonder in the presence of God.

King Solomon, the wisest man on earth second only to Jesus Christ, came to a tragic conclusion at the end of his life when he confessed "there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl. 1:9)

For the truly redeemed, "been-there-done-that" attitude has no place. The God I know and love today and always bring me to my knees with amazing revelation of Himself tomorrow... And this until the Day Christ comes.

Prophet Isaiah, in giving hope to the children of Israel, urges them in 43:18-21 to stand upon three foundational promises - promises we cannot do without as we grow in Christ.

1. New Perspective: God urges us to "Forget the former things..." This reference is not to our sinful past; rather, it is to manifestations of God's promises in our lives.

Why?

Because this "new thing" will surpass what we had ever known or experienced in the past. He is not exhorting us to forget God's faithfulness but is speaking of the incomparable glory of what will be revealed to us.

2. New Path: "I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (v.19)

God desires to take us to the next level of deeper relationship with Him in this new year. And that will inevitably lead to a new path; a path we had not tread before in this faith walk.

3. New Provision. "...because I will provide water in the desert...to give drink to my people..." (v.20)

Water in the Bible symbolizes the Word of God.

As we grow deeper and deeper into better understanding and knowledge of our infinite God, we need the firm foundation of God's Words in new revelation of His truths.

As these three things come together - New Perspective, New Path & New Provision - we will grow to know him more and to enter into that deeper relationship with our Creator.

I truly believe this is the Word God desires to give us, Nakwon EM.

He is going to usher us - as we continue to diligently seek after things above - into new understanding of God and His faithfulness.

--from Nakwon EM January 7, 2007 Sunday Worship Service