Devotion 5: 

Title: Embracing God’s Faithfulness in Changing Times 

Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) 

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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.” 

Devotional: Longing for a return to ideal times: The human tendency to look back at an idealized past and long for a time when worship and offerings were acceptable to the Lord. Raising the question of whether such a time can be restored. 

As humans, we often long for a return to the “good old days” when everything seemed better and more righteous. We yearn for a time when worship was pure, and offerings were acceptable to the Lord. We may romanticize the past, hoping to recapture a sense of stability and spiritual fulfillment. However, dwelling on the past can hinder us from embracing the new things God wants to do in our lives and in the world. 

In the book of Malachi, the people were facing the challenges of rebuilding their city and restoring the worship of God. They struggled with limited resources and a small population, which led to intermarriage with those who did not worship God. This compromise threatened the faithfulness of the community. Similarly, in our present society, we may find it difficult to find partners who share our faith and values. The importance of shared values in our relationships cannot be overstated, as it shapes our spiritual journey. 

While we navigate the complexities of our changing world, we must trust in God’s faithfulness and His ability to make a way even in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Instead of dwelling on the past and longing for an idealized version of it, we can focus on the new things God is doing in our lives and in the world around us. God’s promise to do a new thing invites us to embrace His plans and purposes, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to let go of the past and embrace the new things You are doing in our lives. Give us the courage to trust in Your faithfulness, even in the midst of change and uncertainty. Guide us to seek relationships built on shared values and a common faith, that we may grow together in our devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. 

Thought for the day: Instead of longing for an idealized past, let us embrace God’s faithfulness in the present and look forward to the new things He is doing in our lives. 

 

~ Written by Gene Bennett