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During the Lenten season we offered a series of five Bible studies. One of the passages we examined, that I found particularly hopeful and exciting was Isaiah 43:18-20:

Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, Paths in the wilderness. The beasts of the field, the jackals and ostriches, will honor me, because I have put water in the desert and streams in the wilderness to give water to my people, my chosen ones, this people whom I formed for myself who will recount my praise.

There are three things of note in this passage. The first is the reminder to shift our focus from the things of old. I have been in church all my life. One thing I have noticed is that we often reminisce about the “good old days.” There is frequent talk about the times when Sunday morning worship was filled to capacity and Sunday school classes were teeming with learners of all ages. Unfortunately, there have been shifts in our culture and in our communities and this is no longer the case; there are way more pews than people. Sunday school classes have been condensed or disappeared altogether. However, we cannot spend our time longing for the times of old because it will cause us to miss the opportunities that are right before our very eyes. Rephrasing a quote attributed to Mary Engelbreit, “We can glance back but we cannot remain focused on the past because we are not going that way.”  The same God that was with us during the “good old days “is with us now and will take us into the good new days that God has in store for us.

Speaking of new, this passage invites us to trust that God is indeed doing a new thing. Sometimes in life we believe that nothing is happening because we can’t see that things are changing, For those who garden, you do not plant seeds and go dig them back up every few days to see if they are growing; you do what you have learned: plant, fertilize (if necessary), water and ensure that the seeds are getting adequate sunlight. You trust that eventually you will see the fruits of your labor. Likewise, we are invited to trust God in the process; trust that God is at work behind the scenes. In due season, we will see the fulfillment of God’s plan. It will be for our benefit and blessing, and we will praise God for the great thing(s) God has done 

I know that change is difficult for us; it often pushes us to a place that is unfamiliar, which can sometimes be painful and difficult. We might often look at change from the perspective of what we are losing. I want to invite us to approach the new thing God is doing with curiosity. What can I/we gain in this new thing that is springing forth? What is God showing me, what is God showing us? The text encourages us to move towards hopeful expectations; God is making ways and promises provision. I want to encourage us all to expect good things to happen, to expect that life-changing and life-giving things will happen. God has promised it will come to past and we can remain confident new things will come to pass because God has a track record of keeping God’s promises. 

I am reminded of the words that the prophet gave to the people who were in exile, people who were feeling hopeless and helpless. Jeremiah told them this, “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God has a plan for us as well. Although we may not always see it (in the natural) God is indeed doing something new. Let us keep our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith because the One who promised is faithful. Keep an eye out; new things are coming!

Grace & Peace

Rev. Tamika Holder

© 2022 Calvary Baptist Church of Norristown, Pennsylvania