“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.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Like Joseph, we all can call to mind at least one unpleasant experience that altered our lives so much that if possible, we’d wish to turn back the hands of the clock.
Joseph suffered so many wrongs at the hands of his brothers, who separated him from his parents at seventeen, plotted to kill him, and sold him off to slavery.
Even as a slave, he was sexually harassed several times, accused of being a rapist, and imprisoned for a crime he could never dream of committing. And what about Pharaoh’s chief Butler, who repaid him with two full years of ingratitude after Joseph encouraged him when he was down?
You too might have suffered a wrong or made a mistake you can’t erase. Even if it happened ages ago, they’re still fresh enough to intrude into your mood and disturb your peace.
I have had such experiences, and I certainly won’t attempt to water down the intensity of whatever you might have experienced. But remember this: God is still at work for you. No matter where you are in the world or where you are coming from, God is doing something new for you.
Despite suffering for thirteen years, Joseph still perceived God’s presence with Him. He confidently boasted of God as his only source of hope before an intimidating Pharaoh (Genesis 41:16).
As a result, Joseph saw God form a prime minister out of a prisoner.
Quickly, a new life began for him that was more colorful than his father’s coat of many colors. And when God was done, Joseph forgot all his hardship.
“God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:52)
He didn’t consider going back to his past; instead, he invited his father and the same brothers to move forward to Egypt with him. Joseph became a married man blessed with two sons.
God is doing a new thing in your life, too. You might not see the full picture yet, but the blueprint is in God’s hands, and He is working on it. Don’t say you have finished in that pit or prison; keep heading to your glorious destiny.
Confess this aloud: “I perceive God is giving me a brand new beginning with total restoration.”
The door of new beginnings is already here. Why don’t you step in?
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