A New Year, A New Thing

We make plans, but do we see what God is doing?

In spite of their disobedience, God remained faithful to the Jewish nation. The people grumbled against God and Moses during their time in the wilderness, yet he provided for their needs. When Israel's continual idolatry led to their exile from the Promised Land, in the midst of their disobedience, the Lord makes a vow to restore the land to them. We often recount the good things that God has done for us in the past-count our blessings.  But in Isaiah 43, God tells Israel to forget his wondrous works done in the past. What?!! Why? Because he was planning something new. It’s as if God was saying,  "You know all of the miracles I did, like parting the sea, well forget about it. You ain't seen nothing yet.” 

Though God was addressing the Jewish people, Isaiah 43 has some implications for us as we begin a new year. First, in this passage, God had already begun to accomplish the new thing he was doing. Whether we make an official New Year's resolution or not, the start of a new year often means turning over a "new leaf." Our personal plans are the catalyst for change. However in Isaiah 43, the responsibility of creating the "new thing" did not lie with the people. Their part was to perceive or see it. 

Before our birth, God created a plan for our lives. Here is a novel idea. This year, instead of making plans for self-improvement, seek God's plan for your life. What he has in store will far surpass our plans to be nicer, lose weight, eat better or spend less. He wants to give all who rely on him an abundant life that glorifies him and shows love to others.