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)

my first painting for 2015 was dated April and the title was Newness. this month’s painting, unaware of the previous almost similar note, I typed New Thing.

what’s with being new? or renewed? what is God doing in our lives that is new? how is mercy new? how is grace new? what is a new creation? am i a new person in Christ?

every time I have done something that displeases God, i want to be forgiven by Him so that my relationship with Him will be new again. He is working in and through me and bringing in new mercy and grace while pulling out slowly all the pride and pricks and hurts and shame and sin. i can do that and get near my Father in heaven because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. i can boldly come to my Father and express my anguish and desperation and yearning for his coming. at the same time kneeling before him in my sin and sorrow. i don’t deserve this much of a grace and yet it was given to you and me as a gift so that we can both enjoy eternal life with God.

in the conflict is where the mighty grace of God abounds. it is in the conflict, in the pain that i feel the most refreshed and renewed and changed and redeemed and forgiven.

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert

Oh Lord open our eyes that we may see, open our ears that we may hear, open our mouth that we may taste… that You are good. hold us, pray for us, sustain us.