THANKFUL FOR THE FUTURE

“Behold, I will do a NEW THING, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” – Isaiah 43:19a

As we step across this threshold into the Year 2025, let’s be THANKFUL for the FUTURE: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a NEW THING, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isa.43:18-19). Israel was told to not live in the past, but look for God to construct ways where there were none, and rivers in the desolate desert. It is not enough to reflect on the passing years and count our blessings. It is expedient that we are thankful for the Future – expressing gratitude for God’s Promises that have been declared ahead to inspire a Fresh Start, and to prepare, equip, and empower us to face the new year with Hope, Access, Boldness, and Confidence of Faith in Christ (Eph.3:12).

Beloved, let us trust God to continue to work in and for us. At the beginning of Isaiah chapter 43, God told Israel about “when you pass through the waters... and through the rivers...when you walk through the fire” – many difficult events His people would endure. He told them to not be afraid, that He would be with them, the rivers would not overflow them, and they shall not be burned (Isa.43:1-2). God encouraged His people by the assurance of His Presence, to always respond with faith, for He had proven His ability to overcome similar events in the past. The faithful demonstration of His power in the past is a guarantee of His future ability to victoriously intervene on behalf of His people.

Finally, God describes His people as follows: “This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.” God formed us for Himself, to “declare His praise”! We must be thankful for His promises for our future:

“Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly” (Job 8:7).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Pro.3: 5-6).

“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Pro.4:18).

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer.29:11).

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony” (Heb.11: 1-2)

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom.5:5).

We also shall obtain good testimonies in the coming year, as we commit to His new things for the future; and hope shall not disappoint us!