Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 119 – Isaiah 43:18-19 – A New Thing!- Growing As Disciples
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Something New
I am doing something new; do you want to see it? Of course, I want to see what you are doing. Who wouldn’t want to see something new that you are doing? Won’t the new thing you are doing be easy to spot? Shouldn’t the new thing you are doing be readily apparent to me? You might think so, you might guess so, but you would be wrong. Why is that? There are many reasons why people fail to perceive something new that I am doing. Can you give me examples? Can you help my understanding? Can you give me your wisdom and insight? Now, there you go. You have asked some great questions. You want understanding and wisdom and insight. You want to see the something new that I am doing. To see the something new I am doing that desire must be in you. Many could care less about what I am doing in the world. Really, that seems hard to believe. It’s true, many have their focus entirely elsewhere. Their eyes are on the past. How will that prevent someone from seeing the something new you are doing? They may be weighed down by the heavy burden of past failures and regrets. They may be living on glory of past accomplishments. They may be stuck in bitterness and unforgiveness over some way that they have been mistreated and hurt by others. For whatever reason, their focus is everywhere, but on me. They are wrapped up tightly in their own little world that revolves entirely around themselves. They are blinded to the something new that I am doing because they are not looking for it. That’s not good. Now, it is not.
What must I do so I can see the something new that you are doing? You must take your focus off yourself. You must let go off the past. Past failures and regrets are forgiven and forgotten. Past hurts are healed. Past accomplishments and achievements are behind you. Turn your focus on to me. Keep your heart and mind and eyes and ears open. Be attentive. Be watching. Be listening. Be expectant. Be looking forward, not backward. Have faith that I am and will be doing a new thing in, for, and through you. Follow me to where I am leading you. Join in on the work I will give you to do for me. My hand is on you. My favor is with you. I will make you able to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. I will use you to accomplish my purposes and fulfill my plans. I will do all that you have asked of me. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I will let go and forget former things. I will not dwell on the past. I will put all that is not helpful far behind me. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. Where are you leading me? What new thing do you want to do in, for, or through me? Amen
Key Question… What new thing is the Lord showing you that He wants to do in, though, or for you right now?
Living It Out… Forget and not dwell on the past so you can see the new thing that the Lord is doing.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to forget and not dwell on the past so you can see the new thing He is doing.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group the new thing the Lord has allowed you to see that He is doing.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you forget and not dwell on the past so you can see the new thing the Lord is doing.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 119 – Isaiah 43-18-19 – A New Thing! – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide.pdf
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