“Behold, I will do a new thing;now it shall spring forth;shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19
The United States recently elected a new president. Whether you voted for the Democrat, the Republican, or another candidate, most voters agree that our country is in desperate need of change. While there may be disagreement on which changes should take priority, many Americans agree that we need solutions that foster a strong economy with good domestic jobs, a healthy environment, affordable housing, safe schools and streets, and international peace, as far as it is within our control.
Yet, as time goes on and administrations come and go, these issues seem to grow worse despite campaign promises of a new direction for the country.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a challenge unique to the United States—it is a global issue. Across the world, there is a collective sigh in the hearts of humankind. The Apostle Paul writes that even creation itself “groans” (Romans 8:22). Indeed, even nature is weary. Isaiah 24:5 reminds us that the earth has been “defiled by its people.”
The Bible presents us with two options. We can place our trust in human beings—politicians, philosophers, scientists, or even religious leaders—who will resort to increasingly drastic and draconian measures in an attempt to change the course of our world. Or we can trust in YHWH, cooperating with Him as He does “a new thing,” something impossible by human means (Isaiah 43:19).
Trusting in YHWH leads to the establishment of His eternal kingdom of love. Trusting solely in human solutions brings a curse, as Jeremiah 17:5 warns: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who makes flesh his strength, and whose heart departs from YHWH.”
If we find ourselves trusting in human efforts alone, may we humbly repent so that YHWH may forgive us and guide us toward His better way.
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