Lenten Devotional for Thursday, March 29, 2007
Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21
In today’s Scripture passage, Isaiah relayed the message of the Lord to the people of his time beginning with a reference to the Lord saving His people in the Exodus. However, the people were not to dwell on the past and instead were to look toward what new thing the Lord would do. In obedient faith, the Lord promised their deliverance from Babylon, their return from exile, abundant provision and a revealing of the Lord’s glory.
In his time, Jesus spoke to the Jews about their historical connection with Moses. However, they were not to dwell on the past and instead were to look to him for what new thing the Lord would do. In obedient faith, Jesus promised the deliverance from sin, reconciliation with the Father, life abundantly, and the revealing of the Lord’s glory.
For us today, do we recall our history and dwell on the past, or are we truly looking toward what new thing the Lord will do? Are we claiming the promises of Jesus as we live in obedient faith to him? Dwelling on the past is potentially a significant obstacle to our looking toward what new thing the Lord will do. What new thing will the Lord do in our life? What new thing will the Lord do in our church?
Continuing in our Lenten journey, may we be experiencing the expectation that the Lord will be doing a new thing.
Prayer: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
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 desert
and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert
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.
