New Things

As a kid I looked forward to the 21st century figuring we would be living like The Jetsons. I assumed our manned space program would travel throughout our solar system and beyond. Although our society continues to make technological advances, I believe we are not progressing like we should.

One reason for this is some folks love nostalgia too much. This is evident by the numerous oldies stations on the radio and networks like “TV Land” showing reruns of old programs 24/7. While it’s fun to occasionally look back at the “good old days,” people who live in the past usually don’t make an effort to go forward in life.

When I worked as a nightclub disc jockey in the 1980s, I realized that many people stop listening to new music when they reach a certain age and prefer hearing songs they grew up with. The increasing popularity of classic rock and “Big Chill” music was the main reason I stopped deejaying secular events. I would later learn my aversion to playing oldies was Scriptural. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Growing up in a traditional denominational church, most of the music I heard there was old hymns played on an organ. That caused me to think God didn’t approve of modern sounds. But when I read the Bible for myself, I discovered in many places it talks about singing “a new song” (Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1; 144:9, 149:1, Revelation 5:9, 14:3).

God didn’t stop creating after seven days. Scientists have determined the universe is expanding. Because man was made in God’s image and likeness, we also have the ability to create and (to quote from “Star Trek”) “boldly go where no man has gone before.” Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth.” The Hebrew word here for “new” is chadash, which means “fresh, new thing.” God wants us to be aware of new things that He’s about to do in the earth and in our personal lives.

When people encounter difficulties, they might reflect back to earlier times that didn’t seem so tough. But Ecclesiastes 7:10 tells us; “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’” The children of Israel complained while in the wilderness and even longed to be back in Egypt because of the variety of foods they ate there. Yet they seemed to forget the slavery they went through and how they prayed for God to deliver them from bondage.

Sometimes God will give His people new names to help them forget their past. Examples in the Bible include Jacob who became Israel and Saul of Tarsus who as the Apostle Paul wrote, “…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things were are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13) Over the years I have met a few people who felt led of the Lord to change their names.

Do you want God doing new things in your life? The first step is making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. Regardless of whatever sins you committed in the past, God will forgive you if you repent. Jesus Christ is coming back soon and you’ll certainly want to live with Him for eternity. Isaiah 65:17 says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” Ask Jesus into your life today and He will give you a new heart and will put a new spirit within you (Ezekiel 36:26).

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, old things have become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17