New

“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things…” (Psalm 98:1 NIV)

October may seem like a strange time to be talking about new things in life, but maybe (strangely enough) it’s the best time. While a lot of people wait until January 1 to make their New Year’s Resolutions or to start new things, I think this is also a good time of year to do this spiritual work. At least in theory, we are well rested from our fun-in-the-sun this summer and returning to our “normal” activities with renewed energy and vigor. We’ve already seen the start of a new school year, new football and soccer seasons, and a new program year in the church. And God’s word continually challenges us to not just stay in the old and familiar:

This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “…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 desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:16, 18, 19 NIV)

God,

In the midst of living real life it can be hard to see what you may be doing. When we are unemployed – when we are divorcing – when we are lonely – when we are ill – when we are hurting – when we are fearful or worried – when we are concerned for someone – when we are walking through the valley of the shadow – it can be hard to see where you are. Yet, we know you do something new or unexpected to show your glory and power and to rescue your people. Help us to see that whatever we may be going through, you may be preparing to do – or already doing – something new. It may not be what we expect, but it is just like you to make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  Help us to see the new thing(s) that you are calling us to and the new “song” you are calling us to sing. Help us to understand what in that song that will cause others to see and fear God and to put their trust in Him.  We ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:21-22 NIV)

“I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God.” (Psalm 40:1-3 MSG)

[This post adapted from one originally published September 20, 2009.]