Something New 新事
Dexu Xia
See, I am doing a new thing! . . . I am making . . . streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Farming is difficult in areas that lack fresh water. To help solve this problem, the Seawater Greenhouse company has created something new: “cooling houses” in Somaliland, Africa, and other countries with similar climates. Cooling houses use solar pumps to drizzle saltwater over walls made of corrugated cardboard. As the water moves down each panel, it leaves its salt behind. Much of the remaining fresh water evaporates inside the structure, which becomes a humid place where fruit and vegetable crops can flourish.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised to do a “new thing” as He provided “streams in the wasteland” for ancient Israel (Isaiah 43:19). This new thing contrasted with the old thing He had done to rescue His people from the Egyptian army. Remember the Red Sea account? God wanted His people to recall the past but not let it overshadow His current involvement in their lives (v. 18). He said, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness” (v. 19).
While looking to the past can bolster our faith in God’s provision, living in the past can blind us to all the fresh work of God’s Spirit today. We can ask God to show us how He’s currently moving—helping, remaking, and sustaining His people. May this awareness prompt us to partner with Him to meet the needs of others, both near and far.
What new thing is God doing in your life? How is He using you to touch others’ lives and help make the world a better place?
Dear God, I praise You as the living One who constantly does new things. Help me to trust You to meet my changing needs.
创新的事看哪！我要做一件新事，……在沙漠开江河。—以赛亚书43章19节
在缺乏淡水的地区从事农耕并非易事。为了解决这个问题，一家名叫海水温室的公司，在非洲索马利兰以及其他类似气候的国家，做了一件创新的事，也就是建造许多“冷却室”。他们利用太阳能抽水机，在用瓦楞纸板做成的墙壁上，浇洒毛毛细雨般的盐水。当水往下流到下一块壁板时便会留下盐分，而剩余的淡水则大部分在建筑物的内部蒸发，而成为潮湿的环境让蔬果作物生长茂盛。
透过先知以赛亚，上帝应许要做“新事”，祂要为古时的以色列人“在沙漠开江河”（以赛亚书43章19节）。这件新事与祂从埃及人的手中救出祂的子民，所做的旧事不同。还记得上帝带领以色列民过红海吗？上帝要祂的子民回想过去，但却不要过于思念过去，以致忽略此时他们所面对的处境也有上帝参与其中（18节）。正如祂说：“看哪！我要做一件新事，如今要发现，你们岂不知道吗？我必在旷野开道路。”（19节）
回顾过去虽能让我们坚信上帝必有供应，但若只活在过去，却会令我们无法看见今日圣灵所行的新事。我们可以求上帝让我们看见，此时祂正如何援助、塑造和扶持祂的子民。盼望此番提醒，能促使我们与上帝同工，让远处和近处之人的需求都能获得满足。
上帝在你的生命中正在做什么新事？祂如何使用你
去触动别人的生命，让这个世界变得更好？
亲爱的上帝，我赞美祢，祢是不断做新事的永活真神。
请帮助我相信祢会供应我不同人生阶段的需求。