Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” [Isaiah 43:1b NIV]
This is the secret of every fresh start. Out of the old—from the beginning of time itself something new is being established. A new season, a fresh start. The season of new beginnings has opened and, like it or not, life is moving forward. I say like it or not because time waits for no man, time simply offers an invitation to grasp the hand of the One who knows what time it is and yield to the unknown.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” [Isaiah 43:18]
There is one criteria—one thing that is necessary to join the thrill of a fresh start—“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” [Isaiah 43:18] It takes patience to un-trim the tree—to separate what is useful and discard what is dead or dying. Even the little things have to be sorted out and separated, but fear not whatever of yesterday is necessary for today will continue to grow to be part of the fresh start.
The Lord was telling the Israelites I am your Redeemer—I am the God of new things, new times, seasons and new directions. He said four things I want you to remember today:
1) Do not fear—“…I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.” [Exodus 23:20]
2) I’ve already redeemed you. “When I act who can reverse it?” [Isaiah 43:13c]
3) I know all about you, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” [Jeremiah 1:5a]
4) Your life is not your own, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ…” [1Peter1: 18-19]
Prayer for a fresh start:
Lord, grant this year that I may see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more closely. May each day be determined by holy intentions and all my words and actions be guided by holy principles. I pray that a golden thread of holiness may weave through the whole tapestry of this New Year. Amen.
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Diane Hale
For the past 30 years, Diane has served as evangelist, trainer, teacher, mentor, and consultant for churches of many denominations.
http://dianehale.net/
