Isaiah 42:5, 8-9

When my wife and I moved to Decatur, we brought some hand-me-down patio furniture from my Aunt and my Uncle. They had blessed us with it and the furniture was sturdy. The furniture served us well for quite some time…until this summer — the cushions started to not cushion, and the table seemed like it wasn’t going to stand for one more outdoor picnic.

So last week, we went on Amazon, and two days later a new patio set arrived in boxes. Karli and I took a Saturday morning — and afternoon — and put together the table and chairs. At the end of the day, we had a pretty sweet new patio set up. We have spent the last two nights eating outside.

The Old furniture was great, but the new furniture… it’s sick. (also known as excellent or amazingly good)

God has done some great things in the past. He created the heavens and the earth. He made the trees and the mountains and the hippos, and He made you and me. And in Isaiah 42, God says to the people of Israel, “you think the old things are good — just you wait, I’m doing a new thing and it is going to be so cool”.

Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

Isaiah 42:5, 8-9

The God who created everything, was going to step into His creation as a creature. That Creature, the God-Man Jesus, lived and died and rose again and all of time is directed at that moment. And yet, God still has something incredible in store for our future. Not only, did God do something in the past, but Jesus is coming back to take us to be with Him.

And if you think the old is good. Just wait. The new is going to be awesome.

But for now. The transition from old to new is difficult. It took some time to build my new furniture (probably a lot more than it needed to… I probably should have read those directions the first time). And it has taken some time for Jesus to come back. But we hold onto this truth found in John 14: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also”

Wait, there’s more.

Like I said, if you think the old is good, just wait – the new is going to be awesome. Jesus IS coming back to bring you and me to Himself. But in between then and now, how are you preparing for eternity?

As you consider this scripture and reflect this week, respond to the following questions:

1. Are you living your life according to the directions He has set out for you? Are you inviting all those around you into this life of looking ahead?

2. What is one way to fix your eyes on Jesus today? How can you help others fix their eyes on Jesus this week?

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