Choose the New

Have you ever longed for your mind to think only of good things, and believe unceasingly in what God promises? I have! You hope to believe. You cry out to believe. Even though we are meant to be new in Christ–even though we know that all things in our lives are meant to be new–even though we believe the old should be over, we sometimes struggle to move forward in faith. We cannot fully perceive the depth of the incredible spiritual transformation that new life in Christ really promises. He means for us to be completely free from the chains of old baggage, and to live in the freedom the Holy Spirit imparts (2 Corinthians 3:17).

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18, NIV). This Scripture tells us not to wrap our minds around what has happened, and not to continually think about the past that has defined us. It instructs us to make a decision to forget the former things. Forget is a strong word, and it means “being unable to call to mind, unable to summon up, or unable to picture.” Now that sounds amazing– not to remember or even have a picture in my mind of past fears or failures. Forget means that the past is gone. So we shouldn’t continually think about it or dwell on it. He will keep me, and He will keep you in perfect peace when our minds dwell on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

When our minds do not dwell on what has been, hope for something new is much easier. “See,” the Lord declares, “I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it” (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)? “See” is another strong word, and it means “to understand, realize, or perceive.” It does not mean to just “look”. “Look” is concerned with appearance only. “Look” glances, and then moves on and misses the depth of God's truth. “See” takes “look” to a depth that calls for change.“See” seeks, and perceives that God is doing a new thing. Spiritual sight goes beyond what appears to the eye. The kind of “seeing” used in this verse believes in the new even when nothing appears to have changed. Actually something amazing and new has changed. Greater faith has sprung up.

“I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,” He promises me. “The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise” (Isaiah 43:20-21, NIV). Even though I may walk through a wasteland of pain and failure, it will not destroy me. It will not define me. He created me to love and praise Him, and I belong to Him. He gives me everything I need to survive and flourish. I choose to forget the old and to find this new and greater faith He has for me. It is time for this new in my life. I choose to perceive it!