Isaiah 43:14-21

God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
~ Isaiah 43:19

14. This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
    “For your sake I will send to Babylon
    and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians,
    in the ships in which they took pride.
15. I am the Lord, your Holy One,
    Israel’s Creator, your King.”
    
16. This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters,
17. who drew out the chariots and horses,
    the army and reinforcements together,
    and they lay there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18. “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
19. See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
    I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.
20. The wild animals honor me,
    the jackals and the owls,
    because I provide water in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
    to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21. the people I formed for myself
    that they may proclaim my praise.
    

Discipleship Prayer 

Thank You Jesus – and You Father and Spirit – for Your reliable nature, for Your always-good-for-Your-Word promises, for Your constant presence in my life. I can trust that You will always be there for me as You have been through the years. Now ask God to help with upcoming matters in the new year… (think family, work, faith, friends, relationships with Him and others, health, etc.). then finish with: I look forward to Your presence now, throughout the new year, and into eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Micro-Meditation

Teaching or Command of God:

Psalm 63:3-4

3. Because your love is better than life,
   my lips will glorify you.
4. I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will lift up my hands.
   

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Acts 17:25

[God] is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

Pondering Point

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Today I breathe = Today I praise God;
If tomorrow I breathe, then tomorrow I praise God.