Text: Isaiah 43:1-28
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:19
In the early 90s, I was preaching a series of youth rallies in West Virginia. As an adventure outing, some fellas from one of the organizing churches thought it would be a fun break to take me whitewater rafting. As we went down the Upper Gauley River, I was ejected from the raft and for many seconds I was trapped beneath a rock underwater. Those seconds felt like an eternity as I was overcome with thoughts that this was the end of my life. Then suddenly, beyond my control, the currents ripped me out of that helpless position and released me to the surface where I could catch my breath. I still have a group photo from our “special” adventure that day reminding me of my “near-death-great-exodus” experience.
Isaiah 43 is written to a people who knew about the “fear” of being “overwhelmed” while passing “through the rivers” of life (vv. 1-2). The prophet seeks to comfort the people of Judah as they “pass through the waters” of Babylonian captivity, suffering the debilitating effects of being a conquered people and living as exiles under pagan rule. They had been overcome physically, economically, culturally, socially, and for what must’ve seemed to them in the moment, a permanent spiritual defeat. Isaiah takes aim to reassure the people of God’s promise “I will be with you,” and encourages them that for God’s own glory, He will ensure their restoration. No matter how discouraging their present circumstances, the Almighty will indeed turn the tables and restore their fortunes.
God’s people will not remain in defeat.
Isaiah’s message is “Fear not,” for God will command the captors to “give up” the prisoners—“everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (vv. 5-7). That’s right, a great big release party is coming! For God says, “henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” (v. 13). When Isaiah spoke of the Lord “who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters” (v. 16), he used present-tense verbs, implying that the great Exodus these people would’ve been all so familiar with from their past, was representative of what God does, and is therefore repeatable.
Isaiah didn’t say, “God made a way,” but that God “makes a way.” He told them, “Remember not the former things,” but “behold” the Lord is “doing a new thing.” The original Exodus did not exhaust God’s power but provided a pattern of new exodus-like deliverances. These exiles are not to live in the past but should look for God to bring about a new kind of “exodus,” in which He will “make a way in the wilderness.” Where there is no clear path forward, God surely creates one.
No matter what kind of rapids you face today, you don’t have to panic. He is not just the God who made a way, He is the One who makes a way from everlasting to everlasting. He makes a way in economic hardship, marital stress, and fractured relationships. He creates a path when there seems to be no way forward in your career, a ministry direction, or that opportune time to share your faith with a friend or neighbor. He says, “Fear not,” when passing through the waters of sickness or mental health challenges—not because they are small or trivial matters, but simply because He is still the great big God of exoduses. You are going to pass through, not be overcome.
Picture this, beloved; your great big release party is coming. That victory is not contingent upon your power and fortitude, but the very character and might of who your God IS. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you are the God who makes a way where there seems to be no way. You are still performing exoduses in our lives today. We praise you for the new thing you are doing right now, and we will be sure to give you all the glory, as we perceive it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Application or Group Discussion:
- What techniques do you use within yourself to deal with fearful situations?
- Why did the Lord tell Israel not to be afraid? (Isaiah 43:1)
- What could God’s people witness about Him that other peoples could not claim about their gods? (vv. 8-10) What is God’s final objective in “doing a new thing” of making a way in the wilderness? (vv. 19-21)
- Where do you presently need an exodus-like deliverance?
- How can you intentionally “declare” God’s praise in this moment, and continually as you perceive it unfolding?
