Something New
“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.“ Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
The parting of the Red Sea is perhaps one of the most impressive miracles of the Old Testament. When God delivered the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt, the Angel of God led the people with a pillar of cloud. Imagine this incredible pillar-shaped cloud guiding the way for more than a million people: men, women, children, and all their livestock.
While the Israelites were camped along the shore of the Red Sea, the Egyptian pharaoh changed his mind and set out with his chariots and army to pursue the Israelites and bring them back to Egypt. But the angel of God, along with the cloud, positioned himself between the Israelites and the Egyptians. That night the cloud turned to a pillar of fire, lighting up the night sky.
As Moses stretched his hand over the sea, God caused a strong east wind to blow over the sea. All night long the wind blew back the waters of the Red Sea so that the entire nation of Israel could pass through the sea on dry ground. When the Egyptians attempted to follow suit, the waters came in on them and drowned the entire army and their horses.
But God says to the Israelites, as they find themselves wandering in the desert, “Forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.” What could God possibly do that will be more impressive than the parting of the Red Sea? I think this Scripture reading leaves us one verse short of the answer. God says, “I am about to do something new. I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” But then he says this in the very next verse: “(v.20)…so my chosen people can be refreshed.”
Refreshed, reinvigorated, given new strength. Do you see it? God is more concerned about your spiritual well-being than your physical comfort. He views the refreshing of His people as a greater miracle than even the parting of the Red Sea. “Come to me,” Jesus said, “all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” If you feel like you are in the middle of a wilderness, if your spiritual life resembles a barren wasteland, God wants to refresh you. Turn to Him. Put your trust in Him. He will make a pathway that will lead you through your wilderness and rivers of refreshing in your dry wasteland. He is about to do something new. Perhaps He has already begun.