Do you often struggled with the passages in the Bible that talk about God making us into NEW creations; verses that tell us that God is doing a NEW thing. We often wonder, why isn’t He doing something new in me? I want to be a new person in Christ! New beginnings. New creations. Our God is a God of all things new.
And then God gently reminds us that if we trust Him, we take Him at His Word. His Word tells us that each of us are new creations in Him. If we are Christ followers, He is making us new. God’s timing may not be ours, it may not happen as quickly as we would like. God isn’t a magic genie who snaps his fingers and makes us into a new creation in 24 hours. And truly, we wouldn’t want Him to be.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘“The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).
Here we see the beauty of a new day. A new morning. New mercies awaiting us. We see that they are new every morning… thus acknowledging that we are on this journey and it’s not a one time fix all. Today is a new day! Let’s be grateful!
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
We see in this passage that while Jesus was here on earth, even He was doing a new thing! He was teaching believers a new way of living, a new commandment, a new covenant: to love as we have been loved.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
God tells us, even in the Old Testament, that He is doing a new thing. A new thing is a good thing. He is making a WAY for us in the wilderness, He is giving us streams of living water in times we are in the wastelands.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
There it is! Right on the pages of God’s Word we are told that we are being made new. We can choose to believe it and walk in that truth, or we can deny the power of God and His power to change even the deadest of hearts into hearts softened with love. He is making all things new, He is bringing the dead back to life!
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
From day one on this earth God was a creator God. He creates. He is the ultimate creative Being. He is always in the business of making us new and giving us new beginnings.
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:3).
The Psalms are full of praise and singing NEW songs to God! When you find yourself in a scary new place, sing a new song of praise to our God! Praise is our weapon against the enemy and fear.
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (Isaiah 62:1-3).
Have you noticed how often God gave new names to the characters in the Old Testament? I think just like He gave new names in those days, He brings new seasons into our lives as well. Maybe your new name is Strength, Fearless, or Grateful. Walk in the beauty of His new work in your heart!
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).
Sometimes we just need to let go of the past and embrace the new season. Just like God does.
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah’” (Jeremiah 31:31).
The new covenant was given to us through the blood of Jesus. This is our hope. Newness is our inheritance. Jesus is the truest gift of newness in our lives. Newness of heart. Newness of eternity. From death to life.
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19).
We are given a new spirit as children of God. He turns our hearts from stone to flesh. New beginnings. New mercies. Newness of life forevermore.
