“I 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.” (Isaiah 43:19)
One of my very favorite places to run is at Side Cut Park in Maumee. Much of the running trail meanders beside the Maumee River. This past winter, the Maumee River experienced a deep freeze, and then a quick thaw, followed by a rush of water and a driving wind. Great chunks of thick ice “sprung forth” and made their way out of the riverbanks and into the park. The river’s energy was dissipated all over the landscape. River Road, playground equipment, the Tow Path Running Trail, and acres of trees were all significantly damaged. Months later there is still a lot of work to do at Side Cut Park. Though bit by bit, the Metro Park staff along with folks from the community are making a difference.
In Sunday’s Old Testament reading from Isaiah, God promises the unexpected: a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah is using metaphorical language to encourage those who are living in exile that God is about to do a new thing and bring them home. The question for God’s people is how will they respond to God’s promise of a new thing? Will they continue to live as they had before the Exile, or will they respond to God’s promise by becoming the people God longs for them to be?
As I think about God’s promise of “a way in the wilderness” and “rivers in the desert”, I cannot help but think of Jesus, and the promise of the Gospel, where once again, God does an unexpected and new thing.
And I’ll admit there are days, when I fail to “perceive it”. The river has jumped its bank and is taking me with it. But then there are other times, when I am quietly praying, or reading Scripture, or running through Side Cut Park, that I do perceive, and I do trust that God is always doing a new thing in me, in you, and in the world. My prayer today is that God would once again, help us all to see it.
During this Year of Scripture, we will aspire to grow as Christian disciples through three distinct practices:
1. Daily Bible Reading
- April 8 – 2 Samuel 13-15
- April 9 – 2 Samuel 16-18
- April 10 – 2 Samuel 19-21
- April 11 – 2 Samuel 22-24
- April 12 – 1 Kings 1-2
- April 13 – 1 Kings 3-5
- April 14 – 1 Kings 6-7
- April 15 – 1 Kings 8-9
Click below for the entire 2019 Daily Bible Reading Schedule.
2. Bible Reflection to help us to become fluent in the language of sacred scripture. The artists at the Bible Project do a great job of bringing Scripture to life. Check out this poster on the Book of Kings. All Bible Project posters can be downloaded and shared, for free.
3. Bible Study Click here for the Sermon on the Mount Bible Studies.
Sermon on the Mount Bible Study
4. Rachel Held Evans recently wrote a really cool book on Scripture called, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again. Click on the image of the book for information on how to order. Click on the link below for a Book Review by Bishop Daniel.
Click below to read a book review by Bishop Daniel G. Beaudoin.