“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. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
Isaiah 43:19-21
Spring is just around the corner and we see new life blooming around us. Trees are beginning to leaf out, fields are turning green, grass is beginning to grow, and soon gardeners will begin tilling and planting. Spring is a time of refreshing and growth. Spring always makes me feel hopeful.
It’s easy to see God moving in the springtime of our lives as well. We love to praise God and express thanks for His many blessings when things are going smoothly, His favor is evident upon us, and our future looks bright. But do we praise Him when we are in the middle of a wilderness?
God loves making old things new and bringing dead things to life. He makes a way when there seems to be no way. He brings us refreshment in the middle of our desert wanderings. The verse above reminds me that we sometimes need to look more closely for His blessings. When He says, “Do you not perceive it?” He seems to be asking if we’re looking around, are we paying attention, do we take notice of how He’s moving in our lives.
Admittedly, I’m usually looking inward during my dark times and forget to look around me to see God’s handiwork where I don’t expect it. Or if I am looking around, I’m searching for signs of spring: green shoots of new growth, warmer winds, or sunny days. What I’m not looking for is a stream to spring up in the desert. Notice that God doesn’t promise us a stream, He promises us rivers! Fresh water to give us fresh life. And that gives me hope and joy, for God’s promises are more certain than the springtime. His promises never fail.
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”
Psalm 145:13
Verse 21 in our Isaiah passage promises that He will give drink (refreshment, provision) to His chosen people, “the people He formed for Himself” so we would then praise Him. We are His chosen people, all those who call on the name of Jesus are His. And we praise God in response to the love, salvation, provision, and faithfulness of our Savior.
This spring, let’s remember to praise God for all the newness we see and for the new things we can’t yet perceive. Those rivers are coming and they will spring up. And where the rivers flow, life abounds.
May we feel the refreshment of God’s Spirit as new rivers spring forth.
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I want to follow Jesus! How do I get started?
“This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
1 John 4:13-15
If you are ready to join the family of God, simply believe and ask. You can choose your own words or pray the prayer below. God hears your heart, simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and let the Spirit lead you.
“Father, I want to be yours. Forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and thank you for the gift of salvation through Him. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and surrender my life to You. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Feel free to spend time just talking to God and sharing your heart with Him. Let Him speak to you and listen as He leads you forward into new life. Welcome to the family.
Need to talk or have questions? Feel free to reach out and contact me.