All Things New

BECAUSE we are still within the first few days of the year, many of us are still in the upbeat mood concerning our fresh start. Some, on the other hand, have already failed with their resolutions three or four days after they had made the, while others remain indifferent, resigned to their fate and believing that nothing can ever pull them out from their deadly vicious cycle of everyday life.

Regardless, the good news is that our God is a God of hope. If we started right, he can give us the power to persevere until the end. If we started but faltered, he can always help us rise from our fall. He doesn’t need to wait for another new year to do so. And if we are stuck with the past, he can always redeem us, giving us a new chance to witness the dawning of a better future.

In Isaiah 43:18-19 God declares, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

These words were first spoken to the Israelites -- spoken during that dark period in their history while the nation was in captivity. Suffering terribly for their sins, many began to wonder if God would ever forgive and restore them again. God promised that he will, and he actually did! The children of Israel were able to return to their country and once again, God became to them a loving Father.

The same words may be addressed to believers of all times. True, each of us has his own sad story to tell -- problems in relationships, health, work, finances, and even spiritual condition. Nevertheless, we can be comforted by the reality of God’s words -- instructing us not to dwell in the past but to focus on the future. Why not, he can make all old things new, and the bad things good. Through the harsh wilderness of life’s problems, trials and difficulties, he can make a way out, and in the dry desert of the burdened human spirit, he can make new rivers flow.

Our God is a God of many chances. He is holy, just and merciful. His will for us is perfect, and he longs to generously shower us with his blessings. Like a good shepherd, he makes us lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, restores our soul and leads us in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23).

All we need to do is to put our relationship right with him -- repent for our sins, follow his will, abide in his words and in his love, and turn over the control wheel of our lives to his expert and loving hands.