God Will Do Something New

Behold, I am going to do something new.  Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

I was reading in a journal entry I had written a while ago, and it was such a great reminder to think back about what God has done that I was not expecting.  This is the prayer I wrote that morning:

“Lord, I want to make a covenant with you this morning to release my desire to know ahead of time what will happen in each of the areas I have prayed about.  I will just wait quietly, listening for Your “still small voice” saying ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”

You know the plans you have for me.  I love You, and I trust You.  Please continue the work You are doing in my heart.  You are the potter; I am the clay.  You are the vine; I am the branch.  You are the Shepherd; I am Your sheep.  I am open to whatever plans You have for me.”

Since I wrote those words, God has led me to create a website to begin publishing weekly devotionals.  That was never something that I had been planning to do!  I started with messages I had written a long time ago, and have continued writing new ideas that God brings to me as I read and study His Word and lead women’s Bible studies. The first devotional was published on my website on June 1, 2020.

The next new idea was to compile the devotionals and publish a book.  God prompted several friends to present this idea to me.  At first I said no, because that was something I’d never considered or had any interest in pursuing.  But once it was clear that this was God’s plan for me, I began with one step at a time.  At each step of the journey, I would have to call a friend for prayer and practical help with what to do next.  God provided everything in order to accomplish the printing of the first book of devotionals in March 2021.  And now I’ve just published a second book in October 2022.  I’m still surprised that I was able to do that!

If I’d known this ahead of time, I would have thought those things were impossible.  But because I have grown in my desire to hear God’s voice leading me, and because I believe He promises to provide what is necessary for us to accomplish what He asks us to do, I was willing to take the baby steps to get started.  He definitely convinced me that He was doing something new!  He has made that “roadway in the wilderness” when I didn’t have a clue what I was doing to start the journey.  And the “river in the desert” is His Holy Spirit living in me giving me the encouragement and wisdom for each step of the way.

I’m studying Priscilla Shirer’s “Discerning the Voice of God” with the women in my Bible study.  We just finished a section about the Holy Spirit, and the truth she shares is life-changing!  I wish I had known when I first received Jesus as my Savior that I had also been given the gift of the Holy Spirit living in me. 

I highly recommend this study if you feel you need to get to know the Holy Spirit and what God sent Him to do in our lives.  Another book that helped me is “Forgotten God” by Frances Chan. 

The Lord continues to increase my desire to spend time with Him each morning and throughout the day praying, reading His Word, and getting to know Him more.  The more I get to know Him, the more I want to know His will for my life and trust Him to accomplish it through me. 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Do you feel that God is preparing to do something new in your life?  Is there a heart attitude that needs to change?  Is there a relationship that He wants to change?  A new ministry He is calling you to?

Are you willing to spend time listening for His voice with a willingness to follow wherever He leads?

Consider writing a prayer expressing your heart.  Maybe you need to begin by asking Him for a willing heart to listen and to obey.  Thank Him that He knows you and has a plan for Your life.  He will lead you clearly as He reveals His plan.