In our last blog, we looked at the fact that God is doing a new thing according to Isaiah 23:19
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.
However, the new thing that God is doing is actually an old thing that was written down before time began. I say this because according to the apostle John, he defined this fact in John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The writer of Hebrews supports this truth in his letter to the church in Hebrews 13: 8,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. James the half- brother of the Lord Jesus in the apostle to the church says this in James 1;17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Thus, the new thing that God is about to do in the earth is supported by the scripture. Perhaps it's not new to God but it is to us. We must be willing to destroy the old wineskin, so the new wine sent from heaven is not wasted. It is our responsibility to prepare the place that he will dwell in for all eternity. What an exciting time it is to live as we see Holy Spirit beginning to manifest himself around the world.
The context of Isaiah 43 is that the Jews are about to end there are 70-year exile in Babylon. So Isaiah is encouraging in prophesying to the people of Israel that a remnant of them will return to the land and rebuild both the temple in the walls that were destroyed by king nebuchadnezzar 70 years prior. Isaiah is encouraging his people to know that God has not forgotten them but as indeed bringing alignment to his purposes that were written before the beginning of the age.
Like Israel of old, I believe that we are in the age of preparation for the Lord to come. Just like the days of the Jews returning home in the days of preparation for the Lord Jesus to come, we like John the Baptist are called to tell the remnant to prepare for his coming.
We must respond to the Lord by saying “yes” to his question in Isaiah 66:1
Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?”
Building a place for the Lord to dwell takes preparation. Ancient Israel had to rebuild the Temple and then the walls to protect that presence. That sets a pattern for us as we try to establish the Kingdom of God which is spiritual.
I love the Letter of Ephesians written by the Apostle Paul. The letter culminates with you and I being illustrated as warriors battling and taking down demonic principalities, wicked rulers in high places. Before that the letter describes all we must do to ready ourselves for the battle. Much of the preparation is understanding our identity, becoming a mature child of God and then proper alignment in all of our relationships When we have broken relationships, it creates holes in our ranks, so to speak. We may win some battles, but we’ll never walk in total breakthrough and liberation in our midst. That’s why Satan works overtime in keeping divisions in our relationships. With division, there is no victory, no overwhelming presence to bring liberation.
The key is walking in humility and forgiveness; Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
It’s hard to forgive when you’ve been hurt deeply. Granting forgiveness is not excusing what happened. Forgiveness is about freeing your heart from carrying the weight any longer. It’s about being free to hear His voice and focusing on the task at hand. Finally it’s about closing ranks and not giving the enemy of our souls free reign to destroy our unity and keeping us in bondage. Here is the power of oneness; Matthew 18:19-20
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
The phrase "if two or three agree in my name" promises that when two or more people gather in Jesus' name and agree on something, especially in prayer, God will hear and act on it, and Jesus himself is present with them. It emphasizes the power of communal faith, prayer, and the importance of fellowship, connecting to Old Testament principles of witness and applying to church discipline and general spiritual life. That’s why ones and unity is important.