Main Scripture
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
— Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
When Life Feels Stuck but God Says “New”
There are seasons when waiting on God feels especially heavy.
I know this because I’ve lived it.
For years, I’ve been praying for my family: my mom and my two brothers, to come to Christ.
I prayed consistently.
I prayed with faith.
I prayed with tears.
Yet, for the longest time, nothing seemed to change.
If I’m honest, there was a season when I stopped praying altogether.
Not because I stopped believing in God, but because I felt like He wasn’t listening.
Maybe you’ve felt that way, too.
Eventually, my prayers changed.
I no longer pleaded the same way I used to.
Instead, I surrendered the outcome to God and simply said, “Lord, in Your time, they will come to know You.”
That quiet surrender led me to Isaiah 43:19.
This verse is often shared during seasons of transition, but it speaks just as powerfully to seasons of waiting—especially when we are trusting God with people we love.
It reveals God’s heart for those who feel weary, discouraged, and uncertain about what He is doing behind the scenes.
When we reflect on the Isaiah 43:19 meaning and application, we learn how to trust God, not only when change is visible, but even when His work is unfolding slowly and quietly, beyond what we can see.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
Isaiah 43:19 Meaning Explained in Its Historical Context
To understand Isaiah 43:19, we need to look at its original context.
The book of Isaiah was written during a time of deep national crisis for Israel.
In Isaiah 43, God is addressing His people who were either already in exile or about to face it.
They had lost their land.
Their temple.
Their sense of identity.
They felt forgotten.
Punished.
Abandoned.
Yet God speaks tenderly in this chapter.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Isaiah 43:19 comes in the middle of this reassurance.
God reminds Israel of the past: how He parted the Red Sea and defeated their enemies.
But then He says something surprising:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18)
Not because the past miracles were unimportant.
But because God was about to do something new.
The Isaiah 43:19 meaning explained in context is this:
The same God who delivered before is still active, but He may not move in the same way again.
“See, I Am Doing a New Thing”: Understanding God’s Work Today
The verse begins with a command: “See.” Other translations say, “Behold” or “Look.” God invites His people to pay attention.
Often, our struggle is not that God is inactive, but that we are focused elsewhere.
We look back at what worked before.
We compare seasons.
We assume God’s silence means absence.
But God declares, “I am doing a new thing.”
Not “I will someday.”
But “I am.”
This reminds us that God’s work often begins long before it becomes obvious.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
Faith requires spiritual awareness.
It asks us to trust that God is at work even when we cannot yet trace His hand.
When God’s New Work Begins Quietly
God says, “Now it springs up.”
Springing up suggests growth that starts beneath the surface.
Roots form before fruit appears.
Seeds break open before life becomes visible.
We often expect immediate change.
But God frequently works gradually.
This is why Isaiah asks, “Do you not perceive it?”
Spiritual perception grows in stillness, prayer, and trust.
“We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The new thing may not look dramatic.
It may begin as renewed hope.
A softened heart.
A deeper dependence on God.
Making a Way in the Wilderness: The Application of Isaiah 43:19
The wilderness represents seasons of uncertainty.
Times when direction feels unclear.
Provision feels scarce.
And strength feels limited.
God does not promise to remove the wilderness immediately. He promises to make a way through it.
This is a powerful part of the Isaiah 43:19 meaning and application for believers today.
God may not change your situation overnight.
But He will guide you step by step.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Sometimes the miracle is not an escape; it is a direction.
Streams in the Wasteland: God’s Provision in Dry Seasons
A wasteland is barren and lifeless.
Yet God promises streams.
This tells us something important about His character.
God does not wait for conditions to improve before He provides. He supplies life in the middle of emptiness.
“Whoever believes in me… rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38)
Even when life feels dry, God remains faithful.
His Word refreshes.
His Spirit sustains.
His presence strengthens.
Isaiah 43:19 for Personal Reflection Today
This verse invites personal reflection.
Ask yourself:
- Where am I holding onto the past instead of trusting God’s new work?
- What wilderness season am I walking through right now?
- Am I open to God working in unexpected ways?
Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God’s plans are not limited by our current circumstances. He sees what we cannot yet see.
Isaiah 43:19 as a Daily Devotional Guide
Isaiah 43:19 teaches us to:
- Trust God’s timing
- Remain open to change
- Look for provision even in dry seasons
This verse can anchor your prayers when life feels uncertain.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
God’s new thing often begins with renewed trust.
Practical Applications of Isaiah 43:19 for Christians Today
1️⃣ Release What God Has Finished
Sometimes we cling to old seasons because they feel familiar. But God may be asking you to release what once worked.
“Forget the former things.” (Isaiah 43:18)
This does not mean forgetting lessons; it means not living there.
2️⃣ Expect God to Work Differently
What God did before may not be how He moves now.
Remain open.
Remain teachable.
Remain humble.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
God’s character is unchanging.
His methods are not.
3️⃣ Trust God in the In-Between
New things often begin quietly.
Do not rush the process.
Do not compare your journey.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
4️⃣ Look for God’s Daily Provision
Even in dry seasons, God provides streams.
Sometimes they come through His Word.
Sometimes through people.
Sometimes through peace that makes no sense.
“Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
When the New Thing Feels Slow or Hidden
If you feel discouraged because change seems slow, remember this:
God’s work is often hidden before it is revealed.
Israel waited years for deliverance.
Yet God was faithful every step of the way.
Delay does not mean denial.
Silence does not mean absence.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise.” (2 Peter 3:9)
God is never late.
Conclusion: Trusting the God Who Makes All Things New
Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God is always at work.
In the wilderness.
In the waiting.
In the wasteland.
Even when prayers seem unanswered.
Even when change feels slow.
Even when surrender is the only thing we can offer.
He is still making a way.
He is still providing streams.
He is still doing a new thing.
And in His perfect time, what we cannot yet see will become clear.
“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
Key Takeaway
God’s new work often begins quietly, long before we recognize it. In seasons of waiting and uncertainty, He is still faithful—making a way, providing strength, and working behind the scenes. Our calling is not to rush the process, but to trust His timing, remain spiritually attentive, and believe that even now, God is doing a new thing.
Call to Action (CTA)
Take time today to reflect on Isaiah 43:19.
- Ask God where He may be inviting you to trust Him anew.
- Pray for spiritual awareness to perceive His work.
- Share this devotional with someone who may be walking through a wilderness season.
God is not finished with your story.
He is doing a new thing.
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Recommended Resource for Deeper Reflection
If you’re walking through a season of waiting, uncertainty, or quiet surrender, this book can be a meaningful companion on your journey.
God Is In Control: Finding Peace When Life Feels Uncertain by Paul Bucks offers Scripture-rich reflections and gentle guidance for believers navigating life’s unpredictable seasons. Rather than promising quick fixes, it encourages steady faith—helping readers trust God in the unknown, find strength in weakness, and rest in His unfailing presence.
This resource beautifully echoes the message of Isaiah 43:19, reminding us that even when change feels slow and answers seem delayed, God is still at work, refining our faith and guiding us with purpose.