ISAIAH 43:14-19: “I AM DOING A NEW THING, DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT?”
Isaiah 43:14-19 carries a profound message about God’s sovereignty, His transformative work, and the challenge of recognizing His hand in situations that seem anything but positive. Let us unpack this eye-opening verse and its surrounding context to uncover its depth and practical relevance for our lives.
Isaiah 43:14-19 (KJV)
14 Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
16 Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 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.
Understanding the Context
Isaiah 43 is a prophetic chapter where God speaks to the Israelites, reminding them of His faithfulness as their Redeemer and Deliverer. At the time, the Israelites were either in exile or facing threats from powerful nations, such as Babylon. They were longing for deliverance, but the path God was forging wasn’t what they expected.
Isaiah 43:14
“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.’”
Here, God reassures Israel that He is not only aware of their plight but also actively working on their behalf. He promises to overthrow the might of Babylon. However, this deliverance would come in a manner so unexpected and unusual that they might fail to perceive it.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
This promise of a “new thing” shifts the narrative. God was not going to deliver Israel in the same way He delivered them from Egypt. This would be unprecedented, transformative, and even perplexing to those trying to fit God’s actions into their expectations.
Key Insights From “Do You Not Perceive It?”
- A New Thing Often Looks Unfamiliar
The phrase “Do you not perceive it?” reveals a significant truth: God’s work often defies human expectations. Just as the Israelites struggled to understand how their situation could lead to deliverance, we often fail to recognize God’s hand when His methods seem counterintuitive or when the blessings come wrapped in trials.
- Unfamiliar Blessings: Just as God promised streams in the wasteland, He may bring life into areas of our lives that seem barren. However, the process might initially feel like discomfort or even loss.
- Biblical Examples:
- Joseph’s journey (Genesis 37-50): Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph likely didn’t perceive the “new thing” God was doing. Yet, his imprisonment and suffering positioned him to save Egypt and his family.
- Jesus on the cross: The crucifixion seemed like the ultimate defeat to the disciples. But it was through this “wasteland” that salvation came.
- God Creates New Paths in Impossible Places
Isaiah 43:19 points to the miraculous nature of God’s work: “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” The wilderness symbolizes hopelessness, confusion, and barrenness. Yet God promises to transform it into a place of provision and life.
- Miracles in the Impossible: When we face deserts—whether in relationships, careers, or faith—God’s promise is that He can create pathways where none exist.
- Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14): God made a way through the sea, something Israel couldn’t have imagined.
- Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Mark 6:30-44): Jesus turned scarcity into abundance.
Application:
When life feels like a wilderness, trust that God is capable of creating streams of provision. Instead of looking at the circumstances, focus on God’s promise.
- Forget the Former Things
God’s command in Isaiah 43:18—“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past”—challenges us to let go of previous experiences and expectations that might hinder our ability to see the new thing He is doing.
- Dwelling on the Past: Sometimes, we cling to the past—both its victories and failures—so tightly that we miss God’s fresh work. The Israelites longed for another exodus, but God was bringing deliverance in a different way.
- Example: When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they had to stop relying on manna and start cultivating the land (Joshua 5:12). God was shifting their provision method, which required a new mindset.
Application:
Ask yourself:
- Am I holding onto old patterns, methods, or expectations that prevent me from seeing what God is doing now?
- Am I open to God working in ways I don’t yet understand?
- Recognizing God’s Work Requires Spiritual Sensitivity
The question, “Do you not perceive it?” implies that perception is key. Perceiving God’s new work isn’t about natural understanding but spiritual sensitivity.
- Spiritual Awareness: To perceive God’s new thing, we must:
- Spend time in prayer and Scripture: God reveals His plans through His Word and intimate communication with Him.
- Walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7): Faith enables us to trust God’s unseen work.
- Be open to discomfort: Sometimes, God’s new work begins with disruption or pruning (John 15:2).
Lessons for Our Lives
- Trust God in the Unfamiliar When God says, “I am doing a new thing,” it may not look like what we expect. Trust that even in the deserts of life, He is bringing forth streams of provision and life.
- Let Go of the Old Dwelling on past experiences or ways God has worked before can blind us to what He is doing now. Embrace the new season with faith and openness.
- Look for God’s Hand in the Present Even in confusion or trials, ask God for spiritual eyes to perceive His work. Like the Israelites, you may not recognize the “new thing” immediately, but trust that it is for your good and His glory.
- Walk in Faith, Not Logic God’s new work often defies human logic. Believe in His promise, even when circumstances don’t align with your understanding.
Conclusion: God’s “New Thing” in Your Life
Isaiah 43:14-19 is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, doing things that are beyond our comprehension. He creates streams in the desert and pathways in the wilderness, but often, His work begins with disruption or confusion. The key to experiencing His “new thing” is to trust Him, let go of the past, and remain spiritually sensitive to His voice.
As you face deserts or unfamiliar situations, ask yourself: Do I perceive what God is doing? Am I trusting Him to create a way where there seems to be none? Trust in His promise that even in the wilderness, He is bringing life. His new thing is always for your good and His glory.
