NEW THINGS GOD DOES

Job 32:19(NKJ) – Indeed, my belly is like wine that has no vent; it is ready to burst like new wineskins.

• In the context of this verse, Elihu (Job’s younger friend) declares that his spirit within him compels him to speak. He had remained quiet through the dialogue between Job and his three older friends.

• Are our words, particularly in times of conflicting opinions and judgments, from an upright heart?

Pro. 3:5-10 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase, so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

• Our knowledge/understanding is limited without seeking God’s counsel, knowledge, and strategy before we speak and do.

• He has promised to direct, to make straight and even, us in all that we trust Him in as we fear Him by respecting His word and counsel.

• This benefits us by bringing health into our lives as we chose to depart (turn away) from any harmful behavior – this could be an attitude change, a perspective change, a friendship change, anything that causes us to waiver in our loyalty to the Lord God.

• We can then speak from the overflow of new wine, i.e. joy of the Lord which strengthens us and those who hear us.

Joel 3:18 – And it will come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine, the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water. A fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Acacias

• In Nehemiah 10:39 the Israelites brought an offering of new wine, oil, & corn into the sanctuary to commit themselves not to forsake, or loosen their grip on, the Lord.

• Isaiah prophesied (65:8) that the new wine is found in the cluster and states that there is a blessing in it of preservation. “Cluster” here is a metaphor for those who love the Lord.

• Jesus says (Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37) that new wine is put into new bottles so that they are preserved from ruin via breaking/spillage, marring the bottle, and contents lost.

• This simply means we need the Lord’s guidance to help us maintain what He has placed within us. Speaking as that fountain of life flowing inside us to those who need refreshing.

Psalm 40:3 – He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. (Ps. 98:1; 144:9; 149:1)

• The context is found in v. 1-2 – David was living in a not so enjoyable time (lifted up out of a horrible pit of miry clay).

• “Patience” in v. 1 is defined by binding his thoughts, will, and strength to the Lord.

• What (Is there a) new song have you found yourself singing to the Lord as this new year is unfolding? Why those particular words?

• David’s new song caused many to fear the Lord and trust Him.

• When you dwell in God’s presence (Ps. 91:1) you will be able to sing a new song to Him (Ps. 144:9) because you have found His great goodness, wondrous works, and power (Ps. 145)

• His ears were opened (v. 6) and he delighted to do God’s will (v. 8) even though his circumstances had not yet changed. Will your testimony be like David’s in this year?

Isaiah 42:9-10 – Behold the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth… (Is. 43:19; 48:6; 62:2)

• V. 1 identifies this as a time where God is bringing justice on the Gentiles (those who oppose Him) for the purpose (v. 7) to open their blind eyes to His Truth.

• Is God speaking something new to you? A new ministry outlet? A new friend who needs to hear the Good News? A new business opportunity that will present ways to show God’s glory? Etc.

• Is. 43:19 – Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

• Is. 48:6 – You have heard; see all this, and will you not declare it? I have made you hear new things from this time, even hidden things, and you did not know them.

• Is. 62:1-2 – For Zions’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name.

• These are promises of restoration, of God’s renewed purposes in your life to bless you, to set you free from what has hindered you, to pull you up and out of what has kept you stuck! These promises will cause you to sing of God’s goodness to those around you.

Lamentations 3:23 – They (God’s mercy and compassions) are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

• How have you seen God’s mercy and compassion to you fresh and new?

• Ezk. 11:19 – Then I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit within them and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.

• This speaks of receiving a heart and spirit that is open and tender towards the Lord and His Word.

• Has the Lord given you a new heart and new spirit concerning your life circumstances? New hope? New expectations?

• Jn. 13:34 – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. –

• Are you finding a refreshed ability to really love those who have been difficult to love before? This bears evidence of God’s working upon your heart.

II Corinthians 3:6 – Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.

• As Believers, we have a new covenant to proclaim with a new testimony of Christ’s redeeming blood (I Cor. 11:25) because we are new creatures in Him (II Cor. 5:17). Therefore, as new men (Eph. 2:15) who are no longer opposers of God, but peace-makers created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24).

• Heb. 10:19-25 (Read) We walk in a new and living way (Heb. 10:20) singing a new song (Rev. 5:9; 14:3) to Him who sits on the throne who will make all things new (Rev. 21:5), a gift to His prepared Bride (Rev. 21:2).