We live in a world where we experience new things on a regular basis.
New things have a certain appeal.
The first new fallen snow for the year brings a sense of peace and quiet.
We all get excited about the birth of our first child or grandchild and every one after that.
Things that are new represent to us a fresh start without the past failure or even success.
It is untouched and unaffected by previous choices or decisions we have made in the past.
We are approaching the New Year, 2023.
Every New Year is full of potential and is seen as an opportunity for things to be different.
In Isaiah 43:19 we read:
“Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
God here is speaking to Israel about His future work when the Messiah, Jesus, will return to regather Israel into their land and set up His Kingdom.
He will reign as King over the whole earth.
In this Age of Grace, God has already done something new in every believer.
We read this in 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
This new creation happened at the very moment we were saved.
He desires to continue to do new things in our life.
The Holy Spirit possesses the same power and ability to create newness in our everyday lives as we trust Him day-by-day and moment-by-moment.
We can be thankful that the Holy Spirit does not hold our past, unfortunate circumstances or poor choices that got us where we are today against us.
Many times, we face each new day by dragging junk from the day before, month or our years of struggle.
Praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit specializes in the new!
Just as He promised to Israel that He would make a roadway in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, He can work in and through our lives as we face the New Year.
I encourage you to ask yourself where you need the Holy Spirit to do a new work in your life and trust Him to complete something new in and through you in 2023.
Some people have a FOMO personality, which is an acronym that means fear of missing out.
My wife Linda is a poster child for being a FOMO!
Let’s not miss out on what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through us in 2023.
Happy New Year!
Pastor Ken Keeler, Director of Church Ministries