God Is Doing a New Thing - Your Nightly Prayer - April 17th

God Is Doing a New Thing
Your Nightly Prayer
by Clarence Haynes Jr.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? – Isaiah 43:19

SOMETHING TO PONDER

It’s been said that the only constant in life is change. When you think about it, everything around us is always changing. We just came out of one of the coldest and snowiest winters, and now the weather is changing for spring (this one I am certain everyone is looking forward to). We just recently changed the clocks, pushing them an hour ahead (most people aren't fans of losing that hour of sleep). The problem with change is that it often makes you uncomfortable because it is usually laced with uncertainty. I recently went through a season in which I lost my job after 13 years. This took me from a place I thought was secure and put me in a place of uneasiness. Not knowing what would come next did not feel good. I now had to rethink my next steps and figure out what God was doing and where he was leading.

Perhaps that is the most important aspect of change we must embrace. As followers of Christ, we don't experience life’s changes without purpose or reason. They are simply the things God allows in your life to maneuver you from where you are to where he wants you to be. Even though this is true, it does not make the change any more comfortable. That’s why this verse in Isaiah asks such an important question.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Do you not see or understand the new things God is doing in your life or the new direction he is leading you down? Grasping that may not change the immediate circumstance, but it gives you hope that God is doing something new. Getting to the new requires letting go of the old. The most difficult aspect of change is often not what is in front of you but letting go of what’s behind you. There is another important verse in this chapter of Isaiah.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." - Isaiah 43:18

The only way you can embrace what God has ahead of you is by letting go of what is behind you. This is where your faith and trust in God’s plan for your life kick in. Too often, we find letting go difficult because it means letting go of what we know and believe we are sure of. However, holding on to that prevents you from walking into the new thing God has for you. That’s why looking back hinders you, not helps you. While you may feel scared, nervous, or even a little anxious, know that in times of uncertain change, you can trust in a God who never changes. This is the hope that faith in God brings. Honestly, the steps toward something new can sometimes feel shaky, but if you embrace the process, you will experience all that God has for you.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
I am in a season of change, and honestly, I don’t like how uncomfortable this is. I know you are doing something new, and yet I can’t fully decipher what it is. During these moments of uncertainty, help me trust in you and your plan for my life. Remind me that you have my best interests at heart, and even when I can’t see it, you are working out your plan in my life. Calm my anxieties in these moments and help me rest, knowing that you have everything under control.
In Jesus’ name
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. You can’t drive forward looking out the rearview mirror, so embrace what is in front of you and don’t dwell on what’s behind you.
2. Since you don’t know what the future holds, you can trust in the one who holds your future.
3. Every new thing God desires to do in your life forces you to step outside your comfort zone, but when you step, you don’t step alone because he is with you.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Samuel McGarrigle

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club, dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry work, Clarence has spent the last 13 years as a trusted financial educator, guiding thousands of people across the country—including employees at many Fortune 500 companies—toward lasting financial wellness. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom with spiritual insight equips people to thrive in every area of life.

He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.

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