“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings or wearied you with frankincense. You have bought me no sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Dear friends in Christ,
Today, we delve into the profound words from the Prophet Isaiah, where God calls us to a radical shift in perspective. He commands, “Remember not the former things.” This isn’t just an invitation; it’s a divine imperative. Why would God ask us to forget the past? Isn’t our history, our collective and personal memory, important?
The Trap of the Past
The past can be both a teacher and a trap. It can teach us through our mistakes, guide us through experiences, but it can also trap us in cycles of guilt, regret, and bitterness. When we cling to the past, whether it’s our successes or our failures, we limit God’s ability to do something new in our lives.
God’s New Thing
God declares, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” This is a promise of renewal, of transformation. Imagine for a moment, a desert parched for centuries, suddenly sprouting with life-giving rivers. This imagery isn’t just for the physical wilderness of the Middle East; it’s for our spiritual lives. Where we see barrenness, God sees potential for life. Where we see obstacles, God sees pathways.
The Challenge of Perception
“Do you not perceive it?” God asks. Perception is key. Often, we’re so focused on the lack, the desert, that we miss the miracle of the river. God calls us to change our focus, to see with new eyes, to perceive His ongoing work in our lives and the world.
The Unburdening of Forgiveness
Yet, God doesn’t ignore the past entirely; He addresses it through forgiveness. “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Here, God’s forgiveness is not just a release for us; it’s an act rooted in His nature. He forgives not because we’ve earned it, but because He is a God of grace, who chooses not to dwell on our sins.
Our Response to God’s Newness
So, how do we respond? Firstly, by embracing God’s forgiveness. We must let go of our past, not by ignoring it, but by accepting that through Christ, it’s been transformed. Secondly, we participate in this newness by actively seeking God’s will daily, by perceiving His hand at work in the ordinary, and by living out our lives as a testament to His grace.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, let us not be defined by what once was, but by what God is doing now. Let us walk in the wilderness with the faith that rivers will flow, that where there was no way, God will make one. Let us declare His praise, not from obligation, but from the overflow of hearts transformed by His love and forgiveness.