The God of the New

Written By Howie Stewart

 

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

 

God is always up to something new. While His patterns and routines are entirely orderly, even predictable, you must admit that God cannot be put in a box. He is not chaotic, for we observe a divine orderliness in creation and in His dealings with His people. But His ways are anything but boring. How can that be? Simple:  He is the God of “The New”. Yet He is entirely true to the immutable nature of His Word and character. I am the Lord, I change not. (Malachi 3:6).

 

At first glance, these two truths almost seem contradictory:  “I am doing a new thing” versus “I do not change.” True, God Himself does not change, but He is certainly interested in taking each and every one of us to a place of radical change in our lives. It is change so amazing that Paul described the old things as “passing away” and a new, changed nature taking up residence in the life of one surrendered to Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

Are you facing a dilemma in your life? Are you praying about a decision you have to make? Are you needing guidance, does something need to change? Allow the “God of the new” to take you in a different way than you had previously considered.

 

Abraham and Sarah were probably getting used to the idea of a childless home. But wait, God had something new in mind! An old woman—and an even older man—would experience something unheard of. They would experience the presence of baby Isaac gracing their home. How novel! It was definitely out of the ordinary.

 

We often think of God as working in our lives in a certain, reasonable way. This is okay to a point, but it can devolve into “putting God in a box” if we insist that He work in ways we can still figure out. But God is bigger than your box! Don’t limit Him! He is the God of the new.

 

He can bring about His plans in the most amazing of ways. Just think about the loaves and the fish. Feed thousands with such small morsels? Why not? The things that are impossible with man are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26) Tap into God’s “newness” by faith…see the possibility of the impossible.

 

Are you repeatedly up against a dead-end? Pause and ask the Lord if He is wanting you to try a new way, a way you had not considered before.

 

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)