For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19, NLT
Every year I pray and choose a word that will set the tone of the new year. Some words I’ve chosen are words such as kind, patient, and this past year I chose the word proclaim. It is such a joy to see how God uses words and this simple yearly rhythm to grow me and direct my steps. This rhythm has become a practice to keep following Christ and becoming more like Him at the forefront of my mind all year long. I love the new year because it brings about an opportunity to pick a new word and experience Christ’s leading in a new and fresh way. Do you choose a word at the beginning of a new year? If not, can I challenge you to pray and consider doing so?
The prophet Isaiah’s proclamations illuminated the works of God among the Israelites. They hadn’t experienced God in this way before; this was new territory. These were people accustomed to the priesthood and the Levitical Law. There was a clear, right, and proper order to worship God, receive forgiveness of sins, and live as His people.
The new thing Isaiah spoke of? He was going to provide a perfect and final sacrifice for His people’s sins. When it seemed as if there was no fix for Israel’s proclivity to wander away from God and no end to His anger and wrath, God used Isaiah to tell them God was making a way. And it would be something so wonderful; it would be like a flowing river where there used to only be a desert wasteland (Isaiah 43:19).
Our God is a wonderful God who goes to great lengths to woo and awe His people into giving Him praise. Think about the wings of a butterfly, or the ability of your favorite musical artist’s pitch to give you goosebumps, or what about the intricacies and nuances of snowflakes under a microscope–no two containing the same pattern.
God loves to do new things. And maybe this year, He is prompting you to consider some new rhythms. Maybe you feel the need to…
Read the full devotional at Crosswalk.com.
