Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ” Isaiah 43:18-19 is found in a section of Isaiah that addresses the restoration of Israel. These verses specifically convey a message of hope and renewal from God. Isaiah, a prophet in the 8th century BC, often relayed God's promises of salvation and restoration to a people facing great trials and upheavals.
The verses urge the people to not dwell on the past but to look forward to the new things God is doing. This message was particularly poignant for the Israelites, who were in a period of exile and longing for deliverance. It's an assurance that God is not limited by the past but is actively working towards a future filled with hope and new possibilities.
This message can be incredibly relevant when facing situations that seem stagnant or hopeless. It's about letting go of past failures or hardships and being open to the new things God is doing. This doesn’t mean forgetting the past entirely, but rather not letting it define or limit the future. It’s an encouragement to trust in God’s ability to bring about change and renewal, even in the most challenging circumstances. Embracing this perspective can foster a sense of hope and expectation, looking forward to the ways in which God will work and bring about His purposes in life. It’s a reminder that God is always at work, creating pathways in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, metaphorically speaking, transforming difficult situations into opportunities for growth and new beginnings.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
