Isaiah 43:11-19
11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. 12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. 13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” 14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 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.
Some may say that this is intolerant, but it is also true: there is only one God, and no salvation apart from Him (verse 11). Look at the names of God given in this passage: Lord, Redeemer, Holy One, Creator, and King (verses 14-15). He is the one and only God who can do all things. Yet, we continue to look elsewhere; not just at other religions but also other idols like "the good life". But the truth is that nothing else will bring us life and joy. Sex won't do it, the perfect mate won't do it, money won't do it, etc. Only God can restore and revive us. The encouraging truth is that God is at work, and nothing can hinder Him (verse 13). The past is done, but He is "doing a new thing ... do you not perceive it?" (verse 19).
Lord, you alone are God, and I look to You for help. Thank you for doing a new thing in my life.
11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. 12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. 13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” 14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 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.
Some may say that this is intolerant, but it is also true: there is only one God, and no salvation apart from Him (verse 11). Look at the names of God given in this passage: Lord, Redeemer, Holy One, Creator, and King (verses 14-15). He is the one and only God who can do all things. Yet, we continue to look elsewhere; not just at other religions but also other idols like "the good life". But the truth is that nothing else will bring us life and joy. Sex won't do it, the perfect mate won't do it, money won't do it, etc. Only God can restore and revive us. The encouraging truth is that God is at work, and nothing can hinder Him (verse 13). The past is done, but He is "doing a new thing ... do you not perceive it?" (verse 19).
Lord, you alone are God, and I look to You for help. Thank you for doing a new thing in my life.