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Devotional for May 4, 2020

Brand New

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

One of the first things I do when I wake up in the morning is check the weather forecast on my phone. Today, rather surprisingly, the weather app on my phone had this reminder: "It's a brand new week!"

And, indeed, it is a brand new week! We have a choice in how we can face this coming week: either we can look forward to it with fear and dread, especially with the ongoing pandemic; or, we can look forward to it as another gift God has given us, with hope, to experience the blessings and ways of growth He will give us this coming week. 

The reality is, while our reality might be the pandemic and its effects right now, God is still with us. Even though our normal lives and routines may have been disrupted by the pandemic for the past couple of months, God's love and care for us has not changed and has not been disrupted. In fact, in this brand new week, God will possibly be doing something new for us - something we do not expect. God will probably be turning things around for us in a way we would not have expected, and, therefore, we can look forward to this coming brand new week with hope.

Every day is a gift from God. He created all things, including time, and every moment of every one of our days is in His hands. He knows us personally, and is watching out for us every step of the way. He is providing for us with everything we need, and helping us to increase our dependence on Him for everything. He is doing a new thing by changing us every day, to become more like Him. He is helping us grow closer to Him in trust and love - love for Him, and love for others. Let us look forward to this coming brand new week with hope - because God is doing a new thing, something brand new for us.

Dear God, thank you for everything you will bless me with and show me this coming week. Help me to receive what you will give me with hope and gratitude. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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