Something New .
Isaiah 43:19-21 NASB

"Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise."

God continues to provide us a “roadway in the wilderness” and leads us to “rivers in the desert.” Today we’re not a nomadic people, wandering in the wilderness of the desert—we live in the midst of our own wilderness. Our strongholds, our struggles, our challenges, our sins all separate us from the God who made us his chosen people; the people whom he formed for himself.

At the dawning of this new year, we have yet another opportunity to begin anew—in whatever area(s) of our life need restoring, re-energizing or correction. God has promised us he will provide us everything we need to live an abundantly joyful, remarkably blessed life. We need only to be aware of his working within and through us—and through others in our lives to enjoy the gift he offers.

Rather than make a resolution to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more or give up something that is detrimental to your health and life, let’s resolve to declare God’s praises for making us his chosen people; his people he love so much he just can’t let us flounder around on our own for too terribly long before he swoops down and covers us with his love and grace.

That doesn’t mean he won’t let us run off to do our own thing. God knows we are a stubborn and rebellious people. He loves us anyway! He wants us to glorify him in everything we do. When we lose a few pounds, or make it one more day off cigarettes, alcohol or some other substance, when we have one more argument without resorting to physical violence, when we go one more day without doing whatever it is we want to give up, give God the glory. That’s what he tells us. We are the people whom he formed for himself—to declare his praise.

Yes, we deserve credit for our accomplishments; we just don’t deserve all of it. When we are at the end of our own will, might and strength, God steps in. That’s why he deserves the glory—because he lent us his grace-filled love and power when we had none of our own power left.

My prayer today is that you turn over to God whatever struggles you have in your life. And that you rejoice that you are one of God’s chosen one’s, formed for himself in his image.

Mary  ¶ 6:25 AM