“Forget the former things; 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.”

There’s a call to forget the former things of the past in order to recognize the new thing God’s doing. So often we get caught up in doing the same thing over and over again because of what’s comfortable. But here’s a promise from God that He’s doing a new thing and it is a promise of fruitfulness in the midst of barrenness. There are fresh streams of His life that can burst forth in the midst of desert places and in the face of any form of barrenness.

God wants to do a new thing in the marriage. He wants to do a new thing in how we can parent our children. He wants to do a new thing in the people He’s bringing to salvation. He’s doing a new thing in raising up people who will pray and believe God to do great and powerful things in our churches and our community.

I am challenged these days to embrace the new thing God wants to do in me and through me. I am inspired to involve more people in ministry and releasing people to minister in new ways. I’m thankful for my marriage and how my wife and I can keep our love for each other strong and exciting. There’s the offer of a fresh touch of God’s Spirit in how I can parent my children. My heart yearns to be creative in communicating the Word of God to the people I pastor. God’s doing a bunch of new things, and I don’t want to miss out on any of it.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the new thing You are doing in me of your presence and your Spirit. I trust in your faithfulness to anoint me with power to serve You and be a blessing to the people in my life. Come Lord Jesus and overflow me with your love. Come and fill me with the power of your Spirit so that I can recognize and cooperate with the new things you’re doing in me. I trust You to speak to me and to reveal to me your heart in the ways I can serve and bless the people in my life.