Advent December 21, 2006
Third Thursday: The New Way
This is what the LORD says---he who made a way through the sea,a path through the mighty waters,who drew out the chariots and horses,the army and reinforcements together,and they lay there, never to rise again,extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
"Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past.See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the desertand streams in the wasteland.
"The wild animals honor me,the jackals and the owls,because I provide water in the desertand streams in the wasteland,to give drink to my people, my chosen,the people I formed for myselfthat they may proclaim my praise.
"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob,you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel.You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,nor honored me with your sacrifices.I have not burdened you with grain offeringsnor wearied you with demands for incense.
"You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.But you have burdened me with your sinsand wearied me with your offenses.
"I, even I, am he who blots outyour transgressions, for my own sake,and remembers your sins no more.Review the past for me,let us argue the matter together;state the case for your innocence.
Isaiah 43:16-26 (NIV)
God did many miraculous things in the Israelites' history. He released the captives from Egypt, and when they were pressed up against the Red Sea with no perceived way of escape, He provided a way to freedom. He drew back the water for the Israelites to pass through, and when they were safely across the sea and the Egyptian army was entering, the waters came crashing down and the enemy was drowned. God provided a way where there seemed to be no way.
Now He was telling the Israelites to forget that miracle---He was going to do something much bigger than protecting them from an army. He realized their need for a miracle went much deeper than physical safety. They needed to be forgiven for their sinful attitudes and actions. The Israelites had forsaken their sacrifices of animals and grain offerings and incense. They hadn't given God their best. When life got easier, they forgot God and His miracles.
But, amazingly, we serve a God who never gives up. He provides the miracle of Living Water---we will be refreshed, we will be forgiven, we will be vibrant forever as we live with Christ.
Reflect and discuss: Perhaps God is calling you to forget the past and see Him doing a new thing in your life. Is it possible there is an area in your life for which God has forgiven you, but you cannot forget or forgive yourself? Hebrews 9:14 says this:
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ,who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,so that we may serve the living God!
Ask Jesus now to cleanse your conscience so that God may do a new thing in your life!
For younger children: Talk about how God forgives our sins and doesn't remember them anymore. Turn to Psalm 103:11-13 and read how God literally removes our sins from us. After reading the verses, have your children write down something they have been feeling guilty about (don't look, this is between them and God). Have them put it in a paper bag and take it out to the trash, never to be seen or thought of again!
This is what the LORD says---he who made a way through the sea,a path through the mighty waters,who drew out the chariots and horses,the army and reinforcements together,and they lay there, never to rise again,extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
"Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past.See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the desertand streams in the wasteland.
"The wild animals honor me,the jackals and the owls,because I provide water in the desertand streams in the wasteland,to give drink to my people, my chosen,the people I formed for myselfthat they may proclaim my praise.
"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob,you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel.You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,nor honored me with your sacrifices.I have not burdened you with grain offeringsnor wearied you with demands for incense.
"You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.But you have burdened me with your sinsand wearied me with your offenses.
"I, even I, am he who blots outyour transgressions, for my own sake,and remembers your sins no more.Review the past for me,let us argue the matter together;state the case for your innocence.
Isaiah 43:16-26 (NIV)
God did many miraculous things in the Israelites' history. He released the captives from Egypt, and when they were pressed up against the Red Sea with no perceived way of escape, He provided a way to freedom. He drew back the water for the Israelites to pass through, and when they were safely across the sea and the Egyptian army was entering, the waters came crashing down and the enemy was drowned. God provided a way where there seemed to be no way.
Now He was telling the Israelites to forget that miracle---He was going to do something much bigger than protecting them from an army. He realized their need for a miracle went much deeper than physical safety. They needed to be forgiven for their sinful attitudes and actions. The Israelites had forsaken their sacrifices of animals and grain offerings and incense. They hadn't given God their best. When life got easier, they forgot God and His miracles.
But, amazingly, we serve a God who never gives up. He provides the miracle of Living Water---we will be refreshed, we will be forgiven, we will be vibrant forever as we live with Christ.
Reflect and discuss: Perhaps God is calling you to forget the past and see Him doing a new thing in your life. Is it possible there is an area in your life for which God has forgiven you, but you cannot forget or forgive yourself? Hebrews 9:14 says this:
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ,who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,so that we may serve the living God!
Ask Jesus now to cleanse your conscience so that God may do a new thing in your life!
For younger children: Talk about how God forgives our sins and doesn't remember them anymore. Turn to Psalm 103:11-13 and read how God literally removes our sins from us. After reading the verses, have your children write down something they have been feeling guilty about (don't look, this is between them and God). Have them put it in a paper bag and take it out to the trash, never to be seen or thought of again!
posted by Pete Houpt @ 9:02 AM
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