Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

 16Thus says the Lord,   who makes a way in the sea,   a path in the mighty waters,  17who brings out chariot and horse,   army and warrior;  they lie down, they cannot rise,   they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:  18Do not remember the former things,   or consider the things of old.  19I 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.  20The 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,   21the people whom I formed for myself  so that they might declare my praise.

I am writing this devotion a few weeks in advance (it is March 7 as I write this). It was two years ago this week that I had plans to go with a friend of mine to the big 10 basketball championship games in Indianapolis IN. I was packing my suitcase and listening to the news about this new coronavirus. Events were being cancelled left and right. We didn't know what was going to happen next. I almost made it out the door, but had a change of heart right before I left.

My friend with whom I was to enjoy the games with decided to go on his own. He attended the first two games that were played on Wednesday night – more games were scheduled for Thursday thru Sunday.

But by Thursday morning the games were cancelled. Soon after that, church was cancelled. Within a few days, schools were canceled. It's been a long two years.

I find hope in the verses above in which God says “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 am ready for a new thing. I am ready for new beginnings. I'm looking forward with hope as to what God has in store for us in the days to come. I believe that spring gives us that sense of hope. I believe that Easter gives us that sense of hope. I believe that God is creating and recreating every day. God is up to something great. May we be open to perceive it and receive it.

How often do we think that God is done creating? How often does our worship become stay on and old? Are we ready for something new? New life? New Hope? New opportunities to share God's love with others? What is God up to?

Just you wait!

Let us pray: Almighty God, we wait with anticipation and excitement to what you have in store for us. Thank you for your creation and recreation. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.