The God of a New Thing

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 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 ‭43‬:‭16‬-‭19‬‬ (Amplified)

God recounted the amazing things he did to save the nation of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh and his Egyptian army. At that time, they had been enslaved in captivity to Pharaoh until God sent Moses to rescue them. As they escaped, their enemies pursued them.

God parted the Red Sea for his people to walk through on dry land and delivered them safely.  When Pharaoh and his army tried to follow them, God caused the sea to fall upon them. He and his entire army were drowned in their pride. As they sank to their death, they finally knew that he is God; that he is Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord of Hosts; the Lord of Armies. Because they were an enemy of God’s people, they were an enemy of God.

And yet in this verse, God spoke of this supernatural rescue as if it were nothing in comparison to what he had in store. He was calling the people to a higher level of faith in him. If this was nothing, then we haven’t even scratched the surface of who God is and what he can do.

I heard someone say that the things we ask God for and the great things he’s done in the past are just the ceiling of what’s to come. They don’t even compare to the new thing he is doing now. However, you have to be able to perceive it, not with your eyes, but by your faith. Doubt, fear, and unbelief blind you to it. The new thing could be right in front of you and happening all around you, but if you don’t believe it, you’ll never step into it.

Live your life like you serve the God of a new thing. Did he give you a dream or a passion? Act on it. Did he give you instructions? Obey. Did he give you a promise? Trust him. You never know where your new thing lies. The sky may crack open on an ordinary day and God could release what he promised. Be found faithful and expectant.

Now is not the time to be timid, hesitant, or unbelieving. Refuse to let life pass you by while you pursue vain and empty things. Forget the past. Even a good thing from a previous season can hold you back. We don’t always let go of the past because we’re unsure of the future. Don’t be discouraged by how things appear. It may be unconventional, untraditional, and uncomfortable. The new thing will disrupt your norm and challenge your faith. Run with the vision anyway. It requires a new you, so let God refine you. Don’t you dare let fear talk you out of it. Sometimes, you have to fight for your new thing. You aren’t trying to make it happen, but trusting that God is faithful, all powerful, inherently good, and incapable of failure. You fight to believe.

You must have a determination to never go back, and only move forward. The enemy will pursue you. It’s not always rainbows and butterflies. Make no mistake, he doesn’t sit back and let you waltz into God’s promises for your life. He whispers doubt and insecurity in your ear. He tempts you with disobedience and hopes to cripple you with discouragement. Stand firm. This is a game of endurance and strategy. Your faith in God is your weapon. Wield it. Cut the head off of your enemy.

Be ruthless with every thought, feeling, and suggestion that threatens or opposes your faith in God. When faith grows, your horizon expands. When faith dies, your horizon dissipates. Know that anything is possible with God. He does not lie. He supersedes human limitations and systems. Time is subject to his command. If he spoke a new thing to your heart, you can bank everything you have on it.

Enough crying. You need to get angry. Get angry at the spirit of fear, delay, anxiety, or hopelessness that has kept you from believing God; that has made you feel there is no new season of [insert what you need] available to you. We have to dismantle the lies and take accountability. In the past, you may have refused to move in the new direction God was calling you to, but this time is different.

This time you’ll realize that the God of the universe, the Lord Almighty, is with you and he is for you. You won’t miss the window of opportunity. May a righteous indignation be stirred within you that causes you to break the cycle of defeat and stagnation, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is war and whether you engage or not, you are a soldier on the battlefield. Arm yourself with the Scriptures as they will strengthen you, equip you, encourage you, build your faith, and help you see God properly.

If you believe your story ends here, then it does. Ask God to help you perceive the new thing. Get your fight back. Let this be the last day you take the passive approach and let the enemy beat you up. Give your concerns to God. Combine faith with action and handle your business. The only thing that can stop you is you. Are you satisfied to live on the ground, or do you want to be a cloud chaser?