Isaiah 43:11-19
“11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”
14 This is what the Lordsays—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians,[a]
in the ships in which they took pride.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator, your King.”
16 This is what the Lordsays—
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 wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
Our lives can sometimes feel trapped in the repetitive patterns of daily routine. While there can be a sense of stability in this repetition, as humans, we are not machines, and this repetitive cycle can often lead to fatigue and frustration. When life’s repetition is filled with suffering and hardship, it can transform from merely a tiring existence to one of fear and despair.
The passage we examined today, Isaiah 43, was given to the Israelites during their time of captivity in Babylon. They were uprooted and forced to live in a foreign land, enduring not only external suffering but also deep internal despair and trauma. In the midst of this despair, God offers the Israelites a new hope. His promise, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" became a beacon of hope, assuring them that God would continue His work of creation and bring about renewal.
God is the one who works new things in our lives, even amidst despair and suffering. No matter the circumstances we face, whether our faith seems weak under the pressures and values of the world, God is still at work, creating new paths and opening new ways for us.
Through this message, may we trust that God is bringing about something new in our lives, allowing us to experience His amazing work of creation. Even in our moments of despair, let us believe in the new things God will do, praising Him, and living a life of faith.
Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for being our Creator and for redeeming us through Your work of creation. We are grateful that our lives do not end in sin and despair, but that You seek us out and transform us into a new creation, a new people. Open our eyes to see the new things You are doing, and help us to hear Your voice. Renew our eyes, hearts, hands, and feet each morning, giving us the strength to carry out Your new work. We especially pray for those of Your children who are in despair—meet them anew in prayer this morning, we ask earnestly. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.