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. Isa. 43:19

This is a well-known verse, but I noticed while reading it recently that there is a major emphasis not just on the new thing that God is doing but the question of, 'do we perceive it?' So... do we perceive it?

There are pastors who always claim their meetings are the best ever, but I often doubt it. Recently, a pastor told me about a great move of God, while someone else from the same church said things were getting worse. This shows how perceptions can differ. God says He's doing something new, but can we perceive it? In the previous verse God also advises us to forget the past and not dwell on it. It's hard to see what God is doing if we're stuck in what has happened in the past.

Last year, in our church, we discussed people wandering in the desert and complaining. God is now saying through Isaiah that He's doing something new. The Israelites didn't believe that they were going into the promised land because they had been told this for 40 years while in the desert. Now, in our day, God is saying He's doing something new, will we perceive it, or like the Israelites fail to recognise it?

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Acts 12:7

Peter was in prison, thinking he would die. An angel appeared and struck him, telling him to get up. Peter didn't realize what was happening until he was outside. This shows there's often a delay between God doing something and people realizing it.

The Jewish people had long hoped for certain events, but it took them a while to realize what was happening. Peter, for example, didn't perceive God's actions until he was outside the prison. Similarly, we often fail to see what God is doing in our lives and churches. Just as God had to snap Peter out of his disbelief. Similarly, we need to be awakened to perceive God's actions and embrace His plans. The Jewish people often struggled to perceive what was happening. For example, Peter didn't realize God's actions until he was outside the prison. Similarly, we often fail to see what God is doing in our lives and churches.

King David, too, had a hard time perceiving God’s blessing:

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. 1 Chron. 14:1-2

After years of running and hiding, he finally realized God was establishing him as king when another king sent materials to build him a palace. This realization took time, just as it does for us to see God's work in our lives. We often live in survival mode, doubting that good things will happen. But God is increasing our assets, abilities, and fruitfulness. We need to recognize and act upon His blessings, even when the world seems chaotic.

They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24:14.

Jesus joined two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but they didn't recognize Him because they were focused on their misery. They were discussing their depression and missed the resurrection power and the Holy Spirit's work. It wasn't until Jesus broke bread with them that their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. We need to open the eyes of our faith to perceive what God is doing. Even when God is speaking to us, we might not recognize it due to our depression, distress, or past sins. Like Jacob, who didn't realize he was in God's presence at Bethel, we can be unaware of God's actions.

…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:19-21

Perception works both ways. We can misperceive God's good actions or fail to see them entirely. Jesus proclaimed the year of the Lord's favour in Nazareth, but the people doubted because they knew Him as Joseph's son. They missed the reality of God's work due to their preconceived notions. The people of Nazareth couldn't perceive what Jesus was doing. Despite His miracles and teachings, they reverted to their old opinions and rejected Him. They were furious when He mentioned saving Gentiles, unable to see beyond their limited view of Nazareth. Jesus had a plan to make Nazareth a centre for the world, but the people couldn't grasp it. They wanted to maintain control and keep things as they were. As a result, Jesus had to go elsewhere to build His church.

God is doing a new thing, but we might not perceive it. We need to have faith and open our hearts to see what God is doing in our church. It's possible to miss God's plans if we cling to our old ways. We must respond with faith and correct perception to embrace the new reality God is creating.

God wants to do more than we can imagine, but He's limited by our faith. If we deny ourselves and our desires, we can move from the desert into the new reality of God's favour, healings, miracles, and growth.

Let's respond with faith and correct perception to let God do His work. Let's stand together and worship the Lord, the best way to build.

-Pastor Dave Jones