A few days ago I read something that prompted me to to look up this verse:
“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.” – Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
Then I looked at The Message translation (and remember, every time you look up a passage in The Message, the ESV totally rolls its eyes).
“This is what God says,
the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
‘Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.'”
I couldn’t help but think about all the times when I’ve read this verse (no matter the translation) and been encouraged to stay the course, to trust that God is working in and through my circumstances.
And for a split-second I considered how strange it is that one verse – one little bitty verse – has been so consistently comforting to me.
But then I thought:
Well, that’s because He’s always doing a new thing.
Even when we’ve messed up so badly that we feel haunted – and sometimes taunted – by regret.
He’s always doing a new thing.
Even when relationships seem distant and strained and tense.
He’s always doing a new thing.
Even when sadness and hopelessness threaten to overwhelm us.
He’s always doing a new thing.
Even when we’re frustrated by all the stuff that we just don’t understand.
He’s always doing a new thing.
Always.
Amen.
Amen and thank you. I love so many verses from Isaiah. Our God is awesome and mighty!
Nichole Nordeman has a way of taking my thoughts, organizing them in a coherent way, carefully selecting just the right words and then setting them to music that perfectly captures their emotion! love her. Her song “I am” is my favorite.
I probably have 20 years on you, yet He continues to do something new in my life! A new job. New goals and dreams. This is a tough season with an aged mom. With grandchildren. The toughest season. Yet, He continues to do something new.
Yes He is. This is one of my favorite verses…and one I needed to read again this morning. Thanks for sharing The Message version as well. Loved this post.
Thanks for sharing the verse and song. Yesterday was an emotionally exhausting day due to some very difficult news a young family member was given. We will be needing that river. It is good to be reminded that He is always doing something new.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful message and for using the place God has put you to help others. You are who you are and where you are for a reason. God bless…
Sweet Sophie, You spoke to my heart today. Thank you for letting God use you to minister to me.
and the congregation said “AMEN”, thank you for a gentle reminder to just be still sometimes….
This is such a blessing this morning – you just have no idea. :)
Oh, how I NEEDED to be assured of this today! God sure knew….His timing is perfect. Thanks for bringing His hope to me today.
Thanks for the reminder… Love that one! Reminds me of Old School DC Talk’s song New Thang which is the first time I hunted up that promise! (Should I admit that??)
There are so many “new” things happening in my life right now. God is answering so many prayers! At 52 years old I have so many “new” things going on in my life. I made the comment to a friend that I wished this would have happened to me 20 years ago but I don’t think I would have appreciated it as much 20 years ago. God puts us through “new” and different experiences so that we could learn and grow. He helps and guides us to become better people so that we could learn to appreciate the great blessings he has in store for us. Indeed God is good all the time and God is always doing something “new” all the time!
Amen. Such a beautiful post.
Girl, girl, girl. This is just what I needed this morning. Thank you, sweet Sophie!
Love this! Of course, in my head I keep hearing the DC Talk song “New Thang” but other than that I love it! Thanks for a great Wednesday reminder.
Needed this today! Thank you for sharing it!
One of my favorite passages. Have you heard “All Things New” by Steven Curtis Chapman? It is several years old, but also reminds me of the newness this passage and Lam. 3:22-25 speaks of. Yay for new!
Excellent reminder….and an uplifting scripture. Thank you for the reminder…
Jane
Amen, sister.
Nothing encourages my soul more than reading God’s word and feeling like it was meant just for me, at that very moment. He is so good.
“Even when relationships seem distant and strained and tense.
He’s always doing a new thing.”
Thank you for the encouraging words this morning. You’ll never know how much I needed this.
You have no idea how much this comforted me today. Right now today, Sophie. I am certain that He’s always working for good…..even when we can’t see it or figure it out (Romans 8:28 is my comfort verse). But today THIS verse above was perfect. :)
perfect timing for me. thanks.
Ah thank you! I’m definitely going through a little rough patch with so many things, and this thought is what is helping me through it. I’ve said Romans 8:28 so many times and told God I trusted him. I know that He is building a powerful testimony for me and I can’t wait to see it! Blessings by Laura Story has been my theme song for this season of my life. I have absolutely felt God near during those late night crying sessions!
Anyway, all that to say, this has been so hard, but I’m already seeing the good that it is doing and will be at the end of this. 100,000% worth it! (I was never that good at math…)
That’s a good word. I like having praise and worship with you in the morning, Boomama. :-)
I faithfully read your every post but have never felt as compelled to comment. Just to say thank you. Thank you for showing up and letting God speak through you.
Thank you for the reminder that He is doing a new thing! I needed that message today.
“Then I looked at The Message translation (and remember, every time you look up a passage in The Message, the ESV totally rolls its eyes).”
I loved that; moreover, I loved this post. Preach sister, preach it again and again.
Thank you for sharing this. My 10 day old niece is facing heart surgery today. Praise God that when he does a new thing, he always makes a way for us!
Thank God His mercies ARE new every day!!
And it’s the best reason of all never to say, “We’ve always done it this way.”
AMEN! And the line about the ESV rolling its eyes at the Message? Perfect and hilarious.
So good to be reminded of this, when so many people we know are hurting in one way or another, and we’re waiting on the world’s longest adoption . . . thanks for sharing the verses and the song (which has always been a favorite of mine!).
Always. I needed that. He is so Good, and oh-so Faithful.
Thank you for speaking this truth.
Love,
Taylor
Amen and amen. Thank you for speaking His truth today….very timely words!
Thanks. I needed this today! :)
I’ve been a “lurker” off and on for a few years now, because I think you are hilarious and delightful. :-)
I was inspired to finally leave a comment today because of this particular post. I am facing some big, scary changes in my life. They are changes that need to happen, but I’m scared to death — because I can’t see, at this point, how everything will work out. Your post today gave me such comfort. Thank you so much.
Doesn’t “Rivers in the Badlands” sound like a great name for a Christian group? Or bluegrass? or both?
btw, The HELP is delicious!! Go see it as soon as you can ;-)
Amen! And I’m totally going to repeat your quote about the Message making the ESV roll it’s eyes….hilarious!!
Chuckled at “and remember, every time you look up a passage in The Message, the ESV totally rolls its eyes.”
You are wonderful.
Sister, that is one of my favorite verses. It makes my heart race a little no matter how many times I read or hear it. I think in one of her studies, Beth Moore says something about how God doesn’t use old eggs – only fresh ones. I think of that often, along with this passage.
Here’s to NEW THINGS. (It’s a Good Thing)
Isaiah 43 is one of my absolute favorites. My husband and I refer to this verse many times when we need comfort that He is working everything out for our good. Also, when we have the nerve to say “that’s not how we did it before” ugh!
Thank you, Boomama. Tomorrow starts a new school year, and there have been some changes I am unsure of. But I will take Isaiah with me tomorrow! God is sooo cool!
Really needed that. Amazing how He always finds a way to share with you what He knows you need.
Thank you.
A good Word.
“Redeeming love how could it be that tho my God should die for me!” I am so grateful the Lord makes all things new and we are a new creature in Him. I would hate to still be the person I used to be.
I loved this post! Great timing for me as well. Lot’s of new things starting this fall for us.
Unfortunately every time I read “He’s always doing a new thing”, this is what I heard in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppisOulgG0 ” God is doing a new thang rap”
thank you, thank you, thank you. love the message, love this, love you.
Our life is in such turmoil right now. Thank you, thank you! I so needed to hear what God gave you to say. What a comfort that scripture has been and will continue to be!
Just saw this, but OH. MY. GOODNESS. Love this. I have chills, and I don’t think it’s just the AC. ;) Thanks for allowing God to use you today.
Just came back to re-read this. I’ve always loved this verse, and really loved The Message version, too. Needed to hear this today as much as I did the first time I read it.
Thank you…