Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 KJV)
Sadness and despair can feel permanent. But it rarely is. Sorrow has an ebb and flow like the rise and crash of ocean waves. The water swells, churns, and rises, but after it crashes, it gradually levels and clears. It’s at this point you may see beneath the sunlit surface, speckled sand, colorful shells, gleaming fish. In the same way, after each wave of grief, something new awaits us. Around the corner is good news, fresh opportunities, new friendships, gifts to give, and gifts to receive. Behold, I will do a new thing.
A man woke one morning, dreading the call from his doctor about his test results. When the phone rang, he was told his terminal illness was in total remission. I will do a new thing. A woman, feeling like a forty-year-old spinster, waited in a long grocery line on another lonely Friday night. In that line she met the man she married. I will do a new thing. A young woman felt betrayed by the person she loved most and just when all hope was gone, repentance and reconciliation came. I will do a new thing.
God always breathes fresh purpose into our lives. It may not be what you thought or hoped, but it will always be what you need. It may not be in your timing, but it will always be timely. Remember, behind each crashing wave is calmer water. Ahead stretches the solid shore.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I feel my river has dried up. Renew me to overflowing. Lead me to your promises of a new tomorrow.
Thank you! This means so much to me. I actually cried with joy.
Thank you for this opportunity to glorify God, and for all the amazing information and encouragement provided on your site.
❤️♀️Zanne Marie
Beautifully written. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing hope and truth. We’ve been living in the Puget Sound area of Washington for four years, and what you described is what we see when we go to the beach (minus the fish 🙂 I’ll think of your devotional now with each visit.
The brevity is sweet- you deserve this.
Congratulations! Insightful devotional, and a glorious reminder of the changes in life, where God always works something new.
Wow. Zanne, this is sweet, insightful, poetic and freeing. So beautifully written and I simply love the lovely comparison of grief to the ocean description. Thank you for sharing this insight with the rest of us. CONGRATULATIONS on winning.