Old to New

Lent

March 29, 2022

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 43:16-21

Thus says the Lord,
   who makes a way in the sea,
   a path in the mighty waters,
who brings out chariot and horse,
   army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
   they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Do not remember the former things,
  or consider the things of old.
I am about to do 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.
The wild animals will honor me,
   the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness,
   rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
   the people whom I formed for myself
so that they might declare my praise.

Change is constant. I copy and paste the scriptures I used in these posts, italicize them, and quote the source below. My computer notes grammatical and spelling errors, but I do not make corrections indicated for my quotes. I do not know the rule regarding changing the grammar in quotes, so I just do not change them. Mostly, they put commas where we no longer use them and recommend taking commas out when our rules indicate they are needed. These are usually trivial corrections but a comma in the wrong place can make a world of difference.

My sister and I were talking about etiquette changes that have occurred over time. When we were children, family members never held bridal or baby showers for a relative. It is common now. The men always passed through a buffet line first. Now children who need help filling their plates go first. I must admit I always still feel a little strange letting go of the old ways even when they make more sense.

In the Psalm above God instructs us in doing a new thing through God, letting God’s way guide ours. And that requires faith that God will provide for us in our times of need.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for guiding us through the newness of life.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.