A New Thing

“Brethren, I do not count myself

to have apprehended; but one thing

I do, forgetting those things which

are behind and reaching forward to

those things which are ahead, I press

toward the goal for the prize of

the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

  Phil. 3:13-14 (NKJV)

“Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth.”

     Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV)

January is a great time for a fresh start.  Of course, the past doesn’t disappear with the calendar changing to a new year, but we would be wise to take Paul’s testimony to heart.  He said he’s “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”  We shouldn’t let our failures and mistakes from the past year hinder us from our Christian walk this year.  Learn from them, then move on.  Don’t let the enemy use our stumbles to keep us down and out of godly service.

I also think we’re to let go of any successes we’ve had in the past year.  Pride can keep us from depending on God in all that we do.  Self-sufficiency is not the Christian way.  Satan can get to us in this area as well—puffing up our egos so we boast and take credit where we shouldn’t.  Whatever we’ve done well is due to God’s help and grace, and He alone should get the glory.

Isaiah also counsels us not to “remember the former things nor consider the things of old” because God “will do a new thing.”  We can trust that He who has begun a good work in us will continue to work in us (Phil. 1:16).  That should give us confidence as we start this new year, regardless of what is behind us and no matter what lies ahead.  Take a few moments to reflect on God’s many blessings you experienced last year.  His faithfulness in the past will be with us this year too.  God is good and He never changes!

With God’s grace, we can start afresh this year.  Indeed, because His mercies are new each morning (Lam. 3:22-23), we can begin anew each day.