The Standard January 10, 2026
The prophet who writes Isaiah 43 encourages the Israelites not to focus on the extreme trials of the past, like the Babylonian exile, but to look forward in hope for God’s promised restoration. The Jewish people need to be reminded of the Lord’s unequaled power and faithfulness.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” Isaiah 43:18-21 2
The Apostle Paul spells out the reality of the complete change the Christian believer undergoes. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Corinthians 5:17-21
In the Old and New Testaments we witness God’s forgiving nature again and again. Having been reconciled to God, we move forward with the assurance that the Holy Spirit equips us to be ambassadors of the love and grace embodied in Jesus. It is not only at the beginning of a new year when we can discern God prompting us to serve in a different way or to concentrate on fresh aspects of our spiritual lives.
What new thing might God want to do in your life in 2026, or maybe for the next few months? What new thing might the Lord want to do in your church?
Perhaps we need to concentrate more on people than on things. Maybe we should relax some perfectionistic tendencies or not be such workaholics. On the other hand, we might need to be less lazy and more productive. It’s possible that we would do well to pray and listen to God more, while voicing our opinions to others less. Perhaps our spending and materialism currently are barriers to a vibrant life. Maybe devoting a lot of time to social media or in comparing ourselves to others is taking our focus off of the good things God has for us. Whatever new thing or change we might perceive that God has for us this month or year, may we respond appropriately to the call.
celiastone 