Well, it’s finally here. The end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Do you think there is anyone who is not glad to see 2020 pass? I wonder how many people are looking to the new year for a fresh start? I know I am. To say this has been a difficult year, well that would be the understatement of the year. We now look to 2021, though we really don’t know what it has in store for us.
As difficult as 2020 has been, we can be encouraged by the fact that God has always been with us. It may have seemed like He was distant at times, but His promises always tell us He has always been with us. He also was not caught off guard by anything that happened during the past year. While thinking about the past year, and looking ahead to the new year, I think about the promises of God’s word. One of the many promises we read is found in Isaiah 43:18-19. “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” What a wonderful passage as we head into the new year.
Within this one verse we have a challenge, a promise and look at a new hope. First the challenge. We are challenged to not dwell on the past. This is indeed hard. The past has been difficult for all of us. It is hard to forget and not dwell on the past when the past seems so present. For nine months we have been reminded of how difficult life can be without people. Church and school have been so different. We probably never knew how much we needed to be with people at both places. We have done the best job we can of being safe. However, I am sure we are all looking forward to the time when we can all be together again, in full force. That brings me to the promise.
Notice what God promises. I am doing a new thing! New is a great word. All of us enjoy new things. We probably received some new things over the Christmas season. Some things we needed. Some things we wanted. New is always good. God promises us, through the prophet Isaiah, that He is doing, presently, a new thing. He is making us new creations. He is showing us new strength. I dare to ask, how many people learned to do something new as we have been in the pandemic. Church has been “new” for quite a while now. God’s mercies are “new every morning”. (Lamentations 3:23). I look forward to the new things that God will do for all of us in the coming year. This brings me to the hope we read.
Notice what God promises. I am doing a new thing! New is a great word. All of us enjoy new things. We probably received some new things over the Christmas season. Some things we needed. Some things we wanted. New is always good. God promises us, through the prophet Isaiah, that He is doing, presently, a new thing. He is making us new creations. He is showing us new strength. I dare to ask, how many people learned to do something new as we have been in the pandemic. Church has been “new” for quite a while now. God’s mercies are “new every morning”. (Lamentations 3:23). I look forward to the new things that God will do for all of us in the coming year. This brings me to the hope we read.
Notice the words of hope. “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” God is making a way. When it seems that this will never end, God will make a way. He is currently making a way. How it is going to happen is not the main thing for me. What is the most important fact is that God is in control. Even as we struggle, God is making a way for us to journey through. The pain and hurt have been indescribable for some this past year. Loss has been painful. I encourage you, as we look in the face of 2021, to meditate upon Isaiah 43:18-19. God was with us in the past. God will be with us in the future. God will make a way, even in the most difficult times. I pray God will bless you all in the new year!
Peace and Blessings, Rev. Johnny Richards
