The Courage to Begin Again: Perceiving God’s “New Thing”
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)
The Seasonal Context
On this day, a great transition settles over the nations. Across the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, the festive lights have been extinguished, and the vibrant celebrations of the New Year have given way to the solemn reality of the first full work week of 2026. In these northern lands, the sky is often grey, the air is cold, and the “winter blues” begin to press upon the spirit.
It is easy to fall into a spirit of déjà vu—a fear that this new year will be naught but a repetition of the trials, transgressions, and stagnations of 2025. Yet, the Word of the Lord pierces through the winter gloom with a divine command: “Remember ye not the former things.”
Understanding the “New Thing”
The context of Isaiah’s prophecy is one of deep restoration. God spake these words to a people in exile—souls who felt they had forfeited their future due to their own backslidings and the weight of their circumstances. They were tempted to “consider the things of old,” looking back at their failures until they felt parched in a spiritual wasteland.
The Lord’s message to us on this Monday morning is two-fold:
1. The Peril of Considering the Old
To “consider” in this context is to dwell deeply upon, to meditate, or to fix one’s heart upon the past. Whether it be a past sin, a missed providence in 2025, or even a past season of prosperity that has since faded, dwelling there breeds spiritual lethargy. In our modern Western culture, we are often burdened by “productivity guilt,” entering January 5th already feeling weighed down by unmet resolutions. God invites you to cease living in the shadows of yesteryear. You cannot walk toward the “new thing” if your heart is anchored to the “things of old.”
2. The Power of Spiritual Perception
The Lord asks, “Shall ye not know it?” This suggests that God’s work is often already in motion, yet we perceive it not because we seek after the spectacular rather than the spiritual. In the stillness of this cold January morning, the Creator is already moving. He is making “a way in the wilderness.” If your soul or your vocation feels like a “desert” today, know that the Lord is the Master of the Waters—He bringeth rivers to the most desolate places.
Why It Behoves Us to Have Courage
To begin again is not merely a change of the calendar; it is a profound act of courage.
- Courage to Forgive Thyself: In the UK and North America, there is a great cultural emphasis on self-reliance and “pulling oneself up.” However, the Gospel declares that we are lifted by His hand, not our own. It takes courage to confess the failures of 2025 and even greater courage to believe that the Lord still hath a purpose for thee in 2026.
- Courage to Trust the Way: A “way in the wilderness” is rarely a broad, paved road. It is often a narrow path that requireth us to follow the Great Shepherd step by step, trusting that He seeth the end from the beginning.
A Word for the Professional and the Sojourner
Whether thou art navigating the London Underground, traversing the snowy plains of Canada, or laboring in an office in the United States, this Monday is thine altar. Thy daily labor, thy care for the household, and thy mundane tasks are the very “wilderness” where God is springing forth something new.
Let not the “winter blues” persuade thee that life is on hold until the spring thaw. The glory of the Lord is risen upon thee now. His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Thou art not defined by the person thou wast in 2025. In Christ, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Reflection Questions
- What is my “Exile”? What past burden or memory am I “considering” so deeply that it blindeth me to God’s present work?
- Where is the River? If I look with spiritual eyes today, where can I see a small sign of God’s comfort or provision?
- In Whom is my Identity? Do I enter this week as a slave to my “to-do list,” or as a child of the Light, redeemed by the King?
Practical Action: The “Leaving Behind” Exercise
To make this spiritual truth manifest, we invite the jacobsmham.com community to engage in this exercise of faith today:
- Identify: Take a pen and paper, or open a digital note. Write down one specific “thing of old” from 2025 that hath been a burden to thy soul—be it a debt, a broken bond, or a secret fault.
- Surrender: Spend a few moments in silent prayer, committing that matter unto the Lord. Open thy hands physically as a token of thy release.
- The Grace Prayer: Speak these words: “Lord, I thank Thee that my past hath no dominion over my future in 2026. I receive Thy grace to begin anew this day. Open mine eyes that I may know the new thing Thou art doing in my life. Amen.”
- Move Forward: Destroy the paper or delete the note. Walk into thy Monday duties knowing that the “way” is already prepared by His hand.
Closing Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting Father, we thank Thee for this first Monday of the year. We praise Thee that Thou art a God who maketh all things new. As we take up our responsibilities across the US, the UK, Canada, and the world, remind us that Thy glory riseth upon us in the midst of our common days. Wash away the residue of last year’s sorrows. Grant us the courage to begin again, trusting that Thou shalt make a way where there seemeth to be no way. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
