A new thing.

I know this verse has been trending and usually does at the beginning of a new year but as my husband and I prayed about the year ahead it was this same verse that kept dropping in our spirits.

"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 ESV

Though this year has started with a bang for many. Rumours of doom being spread and natural disasters touching so many lives. The world is gripped in fear to an extent I feel we have not seen before.

I saw another prophet speaking about this and reminding the body of Christ to remember that He has overcome the world. I want to echo that as well.

I still believe the year ahead will be one of the greatest we have ever seen. Many things will be birthed this year that have a new download from heaven. Ministries, businesses, families...

This year will be filled with a great harvest and so many new things that those who have been trusting for a long time will see come into fulfillment.

This post also serves as a reminder that with embracing the new, the old needs to be left behind.

When God does a new thing the old thing cannot stay. It is a completely new thing.

So the cost of the new thing is letting go of the old.

“Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old."

Isaiah 43:18 ESV

A good way to weigh whether this new thing is from God or not is to first look at how it aligns with Scripture. God will not tell you to leave your husband because He has a new one lined up. It saddens me to think that I feel I need to mention this at all. At all times, consider Scripture and good foundational teaching about His word in this season. Do not be led astray by strange teachings that claim to be the new thing. It will divert you from God's promise.

For me, last year was one of the greatest wilderness seasons I have ever been through. God revealed what I thought has long since been dealt with and worked deeply in the foundations of what I believe and dream about. It has been my experience that this experience was not limited to me alone but many others. I want to encourage you that God has prepared you for what is to come. Lean into Him and do not stay stuck in the past, no matter how painful it was. God wants us to move on from traumas we thought would destroy us to fight for and enjoy the promised land He wants to give us.

Where you are going next, and what God has planned for you will come at a cost. This cost is your pride, your arrogance, your need to control, your limited understanding and so much more. I am not saying this to dishearten you, but to encourage you when the opportunities present themselves, pay up - that you will freely give up those things knowing that what comes next is worth so much more.

When Israel moved out of Egypt their past wanted to follow them, their oppressors were not fond of the idea of letting go. Let God drown that which tries to follow you into this new season. Their season of wilderness though a consequence of decisions was also a season of immense grace. God provided in ways we have never seen. He was there. Fire by night and cloud by day. Those who were not able to be warriors were given a chance to live and let a new breed arise. One that would take the land. They had to be able to fight to take the promised land. Their lack of obedience when taking the promised land cost them greatly. Please go read the full story through Exodus and Joshua.

Thus a point I also want to drive home is the element of obedience. Our culture can have a skewed understanding of grace sometimes. God will do what He promised, your access to it is many times determined by your obedience. This does not make God unjust. The best for you lies on the other side of your obedience to His word and His will. He is not a cruel Father who thinks up new ways to test you all the time. He is a good Father who wants to teach you about walking with Him. He is life and life in abundance, no promise will ever give you the satisfaction that His presence while journeying with Him will. Obedience is for your sake, not His. He can do everything without us, the wonder lies in the fact that He does not want to.

How amazing that He is mindful of us??

We will dive into this more as the year goes on. I would like to walk with you as you journey with God. Please feel free to contact me at any time.

May you know that God has a plan for your life. He loves you and He has not forgotten about the promises He made. May you walk into His promised land for your life in full obedience knowing that He is doing a new thing. Get ready for the fight of your life and also the most amazing time of blessing you have ever experienced.

Blessings, Yolandi.