What God is Doing that is New

I am always amazed when I consider information in the Bible which explains God’s desire to do something new for us, with us, or through us.  For example:

• God wants us to have “new life” (Romans 6:4).
• When we die to our sins we can “serve in the new way of the Spirit” (Romans 7:6).
• Communion is a reminder of a “new covenant” in His blood (I Corinthians 11:25)
• In Christ we are a “new creation” (II Corinthians 5:17).
• In Christ we are to “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
• Christ is “the mediator of a new covenant” between God and man (Hebrews 9:15).
• We can come boldly before God in prayer because of the “new and living way opened for us” through what Jesus did on the cross (Hebrews 10:20).
• Through Christ we have “new birth” (I Peter 1:3).
• When speaking about Israel, God said, “See I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Let me ask, what new thing is God doing in your life?  What do you sense is the “new thing” that God is doing in your church?  What new thing is God doing in your family?  What praise is on your lips to God for the new thing that He is doing for you, for your church or for your family?  Maybe, if we take time to carefully look at and acknowledge the things that God is doing in our lives, each of us can say that he will put “A new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). That would be a wonderful testimony of God’s grace and a great encouragement to others around us.

Encouragement

There are many things that happen in our world which become a discouragement to us such as violence, fatigue, stress at work or at home, difficulties with finances, fighting, wars, health concerns and many other things.  When we experience problems, we are faced with pressure that drains us of our strength and energy. Being discouraged means that we have been deprived of our confidence and hope.  All of this is debilitating and saps the joy from our lives.  If that is the case for us, it is the same for other people.

When discouragement sets in, we desperately need something that lifts us up, encourages us, and lessens the negative or at least turns it into something positive.  In Scripture the Apostle Paul points to important instruction on this topic when he says, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).

Here are some implications for us from this verse:

1)    God is the source of spiritual encouragement – “God who gives endurance and encouragement.”   We will never find eternal encouragement in “things of the world” but only in that which God provides.

2)    Spiritual encouragement leads to unity – “Give you a spirit of unity…as you follow Christ Jesus.”  Once we have been encouraged by God, He also provides the ability to be unified with others of like precious faith.

3)    Spiritual encouragement primes us for giving glory to God – “With one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  As we are encouraged spiritually our desire will be to give God the glory that is due Him for all the wonderful things He does in this world and has done for us personally.

So, the next time you become discouraged, turn to God.  Let the spiritual encouragement you receive from Him prompt you to breathe a prayer of thanks to God for His incredible power.  Ask God to continue to work in and through you for His honor and glory.  Is there someone whom you need to encourage today with a telephone call, email or text?  Do it now.