Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past. 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. Isaiah 43:18-19

This section of the sprawling book of Isaiah was clearly written for suffering people. The people of Judah were carried off into captivity and languished for several decades in Babylon—far away from their homeland, from their traditions, from their temple. Miles of desert separated them from anything familiar. Spirits were crushed, identity shattered, faith challenged. This was a crucial time of self-examination and repentance for people who had drifted far too easily into idol worship, greed, and corruption. But now the Lord was drawing a sharp dividing line between past and future. That was then; this is now. I am doing a new thing, creating a path through the desert. Historically, this actually happened. A stunning shift of power and policy gave God’s people a chance to return to Israel. They had the opportunity to set up a new nation on their old territory. God still does new things for His people today.

Perhaps you’ve been dwelling on past mistakes. Now God tells you, “Forget about it! Let Me do something new with you.” Newness can be scary. We sometimes find comfort in clinging to our old ways. Even our old regrets can feel familiar. We know how to be sorry for past errors. We might not know what sort of courage we will need for the future. What kind of attitude adjustment is necessary to welcome the new life God wants for you? Forgetting the past requires mental and spiritual discipline. It takes faith to step forward into God’s new direction. How will God nurture that spirit in you—and help you let go of what haunts you? Think of the people you see every day, weighed down by past regrets. Sometimes you see it in physical appearance—they seem to carry the weight on their shoulders—but sometimes you just sense it. How can you ease that burden? How can you be an agent of God’s newness? You might start among those with whom you have a history. Are there people you need to forgive? Do you need to make it clear to them that they are forgiven? Are there others who just need the reassurance of God’s forgiveness for mistakes they have made? Bring today’s verse with you as you offer them peace for the past and excitement over the new thing God can do in their lives.

We know that Isaiah is pointing to Jesus, who will come and will change things eternally. It is through Jesus that we can build our hope and confidence and seek a fresh start.