Scriptures:
Isaiah 43:18-19
Romans 10:17
Matthew 14:28-31
Luke 5:4-6
Philippians 3:10
Hebrews 11:1
Acts 3:19
John 7:37-38
Points:
1. Growth over Gold
2. Obedience over Outcomes
3. Hope over Holding on
The Big Idea: Faith cannot be bought, it can only be built.
As we step into a new year, we’re called to embrace ‘faith for the new’ – not just a blank slate, but a renewed story God is writing in our lives. The powerful message from Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us that God is making streams in the wasteland, bringing life to dry places in our relationships, careers, and spiritual journeys. This isn’t about instant transformation, but rather a process of renovation where God renews all things. To see these streams flow, we’re challenged to choose growth over gold, focusing on meaningful metrics in our lives like spiritual intimacy and relationship quality rather than just achievements. It’s a call to know God more deeply, echoing Paul’s desire in Philippians to truly know Christ and the power of His resurrection. As we commit to this growth, we’re reminded that faith can’t be bought – it must be built through daily choices and persistent pursuit of God’s presence.
Faith for the New: Embracing Growth, Obedience, and Hope
As we step into a new year, many of us find ourselves quoting Isaiah 43:18-19: “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.”
But what does it truly mean to embrace the new things God is doing in our lives? How can we position ourselves to see streams flow in the wastelands?
The key lies in understanding that faith is God’s delivery system. It’s how He moves us from where we are to where He wants us to be. Faith isn’t something we can buy off the shelf; it must be built intentionally. As we seek to build our faith and welcome newness into our lives, there are three principles we should consider:
- Choose Growth Over Gold
In our consumer-driven society, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking quick fixes and instant gratification. We often measure success by the gold medals we win or the financial wealth we accumulate. However, true faith looks like growing, not just accumulating gold.
Greg Popovich, the renowned NBA coach, became famous for tracking meaningful metrics like team chemistry and trusting player relationships, rather than just wins and losses. His philosophy? “If you invest in what matters most – growth – gold will come.”
This year, let’s commit to growth in our daily habits, in relationships that bring life, and in our walk with God. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.” When we prioritize knowing God intimately, we position ourselves to walk in His power.
It’s easy to doubt everything when you know nothing, but we can combat doubt by growing in our knowledge and experience of God.
- Prioritize Obedience Over Outcomes
The story of Peter walking on water offers a powerful lesson. When Jesus called Peter out of the boat, Peter responded in obedience. Yes, he eventually sank, but Jesus commended him for his faith – the “little faith” that propelled him out of the boat when others remained behind.
Similarly, in Luke 5, we see Peter obeying Jesus’ instruction to cast his nets on the other side of the boat, despite a night of fruitless fishing. His obedience led to an overwhelming catch.
Both scenarios required obedience, regardless of the outcome. This year, let’s focus on being obedient to God’s whispers and promptings, rather than fixating on the results we hope to see.
In Jewish culture, they use the word “shalom” for both “good morning” and “good night.” This reflects a perspective that sees life as a continuum, not just a series of starts and finishes. Let’s adopt this mindset, being less concerned with the outcome of each day and more interested in our journey of faith and obedience.
- Embrace Hope Over Holding On
Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Notice it doesn’t say faith is holding onto what we already have. To truly step into the new things God has for us, we often need to let go of what we’ve been clutching tightly.
In the Hebrew calendar, last year was symbolized by a door, representing transitions. This year is symbolized by an open window, speaking of new opportunities. To look through the open window of opportunity, we must be willing to release our grip on the closed doors behind us.
This might mean letting go of past traumas, failures, or disappointments. It could involve releasing relationships or situations that no longer serve God’s purpose for our lives. As Acts 3:19 reminds us, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Refreshing – like streams in the wasteland – comes when we turn away from what’s holding us back and turn towards the hope God is offering.
Jesus said in John 7, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” When we come to Him, leaning on His strength rather than our own, we position ourselves to see life spring up in previously barren areas of our lives.
As we step into this new year, let’s challenge ourselves to build our faith in these three ways:
- Commit to growth over gold, investing in what truly matters.
- Choose obedience over outcomes, trusting God’s process.
- Embrace hope over holding on, releasing what’s behind to reach for what’s ahead.
Imagine the potential that lies beneath the surface of your life – in your relationships, your work, your community. What streams of living water are waiting to burst forth if you simply turn from what you’re holding onto and turn towards what you’re hoping for?
This year, let’s allow God to renew all things in our lives. It’s not about getting a completely blank slate, but about seeing new life spring up in existing spaces. As we focus on growth, obedience, and hope, we create space for God to do what only He can do – make streams flow in the wasteland and bring new life to every area of our existence.
May this be a year of open windows and flowing streams, as we build our faith and step confidently into all that God has prepared for us.
Discussion Questions
- How can we practically choose growth over gold in our daily lives and spiritual journey?
- In what ways might God be calling you to step out in faith like Peter did, even if the outcome is uncertain?
- How can we cultivate a mindset of ‘shalom’ that sees both good and bad experiences as part of God’s continuum?
- What ‘doors’ from 2024 might you need to close in order to look through the ‘open windows’ of opportunity in 2025?
- How can we balance striving for outcomes with focusing on obedience to God’s leading?
- What does it mean to you personally to have ‘streams flow in the wasteland’ of your life?
- How might focusing on ‘meaningful metrics’ like relationships and personal growth change your approach to success?
- In what areas of your life do you need to shift from ‘holding on’ to ‘hoping for’ what God has next?
- How can we cultivate greater expectation in our faith while still trusting God’s timing and outcomes?
- What practical steps can we take to know God more intimately, as Paul desired in Philippians?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the new things You are doing in our lives. Help us to let go of the past and trust You as You make streams in the wilderness and renew dry places. Teach us to value growth over gold, seeking to know You more deeply. Strengthen us to obey Your voice, like Peter stepping out in faith, trusting Your plans even when outcomes are unclear. Renew our hope and free us from what holds us back. Let Your living water flow, bringing life and refreshing to every barren place. Build our faith daily, that we may walk in Your grace and step into the fullness of Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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