“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?” Isaiah 43:19
Dear Ones:
The whole concept, implementation, and realization of the “new thing” begins with God. Note that He says in Isaiah: “Behold, I will do a new thing.” It is imperative at the outset of our consideration of the new beginning, or the new thing, that we see the matter from God’s perspective. It will only be, as we by faith commit ourselves to God for the realization of what HE has chosen to do, that the “new thing” will be realized in us. This may be for the first time, or for one of the “multiplied” times in the course of our lives. Secondly, we need a clear understanding of what this “new thing” is. For this we turn to the Lord again, for He asks us the question: “Shall ye not know it?”
When the Apostle Paul speaks of the first “new beginning,” with reference to the moment a person comes to Christ, he writes: “If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We see here that the believer embarks on a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) It is such because of the “new” life of Christ in the heart. It is also true that newness comes because of “old things are passed away,” or, been removed. Christ died on Calvary to remove the TOTAL weight, burden, and guilt of their sin. He rose again to put His Spirit within the heart, writing upon the heart His law, communicating to us His life and the desires of His heart. The process of new beginnings has begun.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he addresses those who have already believed in Christ. He brings before them the concept, and key, of multiplied new beginnings in the course of life. He writes: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” (3:13) Paul, as a believer, knows that “the new thing” always begins with the declared will of God. He writes to the believers at Ephesus: “Be filled with the Spirit.” (5:18) It is essential to grasp the will of God, with regard to the Spirit’s renewing, restoring, and reviving work in the heart. In addition, for Paul to “forget those things that are behind,” he must see, and seek, the provision by God of the blood of Christ to cleanse from ALL sin. If the great apostle Paul is to successfully run this race set before him, he must KNOW the liberating work of the Spirit to apply the precious blood to ALL sin, manifestly strengthen him within, and enable him to look steadfastly unto Jesus for everything. One measure of our maturity in Christ is not that we cease completely to sin, but that the time spent in going to the Savior for cleansing and renewing becomes less and less. “Newness” can be ours at any time, in any place.
Dear Father, give us grace to see and understand that every day Thy mercies are new, and every day the blood of Christ is powerful to cleanse us from ALL sin. Strengthen our hearts by Thy Spirit to rise, go forth with great liberty in our spirits and hearts, to serve Thee this day. We thank Thee for Thy wonderful provision of newness in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad