Prayer Works Morning Devotion: September 18, 2025

Thus Says The Lord-Who God Says He Is, His Commandments and Promises

Isaiah 43:18-21: Do Not Remember The Former Things, Nor Consider The Things Of Old"

---

Good morning, good morning, good morning, everybody. I hope you had a wonderful night. You're well rested. You're ready for another day. Let us go to the Lord in prayer. This is the day the Lord is made.  

We will rejoice and be glad in it. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. We are crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, we live not yet us, but Christ lives by faith in us. His word dwells in us richly.  

And we are able to save, we are blessed, we are healed, we are set free. Sickness cannot dwell in us. The number of our days He will fulfill. Sin will not dominate us because the seed of God's word lives in us.  

We believe that Jesus Christ came and died on the cross. And we now have this abundant life and the victory that He provides. Therefore, no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  

And we are more than conquerors because of his great love. Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. We can do all things through Christ who strengthened us as the redeemed of the Lord, we say so in Jesus' name. Amen.  

Brothers and sisters, today we are in Isaiah 43:18-21. I will read it. This is what he says. Do not remember the former things. In other words, forget the past, nor consider the things of the old. Behold, I will do a new thing.  

Now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will own me, the jackals and ostrich, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. 

These people I have formed for myself, they shall declare my praise so this is that speaking through Isaiah, encouraging humanity per se number one you can see over and over again this phrase my people my people, that I've chosen, my people.  

You know, when you think about my people, you realize that you don't call my anything that you don't own, that you don't own. And God refers to us because, number one, he owns us by virtue of being his creation.  

He created us whether we you're an atheist or you're not whether you like him or you don't, the fact that he created all things is that he owns us. Uh Jesus belonging to Jesus is different because he chose us and we chose him back. 

So when God is saying my people in this instant He's talking about people that have been chosen because they have received the Holy Spirit and they also have received Him back and loved Him back. So He says to those people that's you and I saved, loved God, He loves us we're walking through the aid of the Holy Spirit. 

He says my people I will do new things. I will do new things and I need you not to remember the old things. And the old things that are being mentioned here is things that are detrimental to the human, to human survival. 

It's not just things that happened in the past. Because again, it's in the same chapter that he talks about, don't forget what happened in Egypt, right? Don't forget how I rescued you in Egypt. So those are great things.  

But now what's being said here is that don't remember the things that has nothing to do with this kingdom. Because if you remember those things, if you hold on to those things, then it's hard for you to look to the future. I do a new thing.  

So, brothers and sisters, the key thing that I want us to kind of focus on in this particular passage of scripture is I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Now, when you think about what a wilderness is, it's a place that is very difficult to survive, it's wild.  

There's no road. It's untamed territory. So God is saying, I'll do new things. And He's looking at our world as the wilderness, that in this place, we always ought to remember that this is wilderness. Holy ground, holy place was the Garden of Eden.  

The earth is the loss and the fullness of it, but this is wilderness. Because remember, you always want to go back to Genesis chapter number 3, because that was the original state that God wanted humanity to exist in.  

What happened after we sinned is we get kicked out of the garden and we start living in the wilderness. And in this wilderness, he says, I am going to make a rod in the wilderness. Where is this road leading to?  

The rod that he's talking about is the road that is leading back to heaven, back to the garden. So that I will even make a road in this wilderness to lead you back to the garden. And then the second thing is that, and rivers in the desert.  

Now, if you've ever been in the desert or ever watched a movie about somebody getting stranded in the desert, it's a very hot place. It's extremely challenging and difficult. There is no water, there is no shade, there is no place to hide.  

And in this case, desert is hell. It's a place that is devoid of God. No trees, no water. It's just dry, hot air and sand. And you can't grow anything in the desert and you can't, it's very difficult to breathe in the desert. I've been in the desert when it was 121 degrees. 

It's unbearable. Your body does not know what to do. And now God is saying, in the midst of that place that is devoid of my existence, I will even make rivers and what is rivers? Water. Water gives life.  

So in the midst of a dry place, I will give life. Now, when you kind of think about where we are in this juncture in our world, these two phrases pretty much applies. It's wild right now. And it's a desert in this season, it's wild.  

The things that are happening around us are extremely wild. And this wilderness is treacherous at this point in time. And God is reiterating to us that even in this treacherous wilderness, I'm still going to make a road for you.  

Road gives access, road leads to, road controls traffic. A road is a place that makes the journey easy. So God is saying even in the midst of his wilderness and these challenges, I'm going to control the traffic, and I'm going to open this access road that's going to lead you from point A to point B.  

So behold, I do new things. So this road is doing, is going towards the new things that God is doing. And also, while you're in the desert, a place that is devoid of me, I'm still going to give you life.  

So this is an assurance that we are receiving from the Lord. Because this is the same chapter that he makes the promise to take care of us. So don't worry about what we see, even though it concerns us.  

But again, the promise that God is making over and over again is that I am going to be your source. I'm going to be your source. And you and I know this is one of the most difficult things to walk in because logically we want to solve problems because we were designed to do that.  

So letting go and allowing God to guide is a difficult thing. Remember, I've always said that there are three levels of surrender. The first one is recognizing that, Oh my God, I didn't know that I needed this.  

The third one, the second one is, I can't live without this. The third one, which is the hardest one to get to, is I'm only here to do the will of the Father. Three levels of surrender. And letting go, letting go of your ideologies, your thinking patterns, your ability to logically solve problems, and to stand and believe in faith. 

Even though it seems like there is no road it's one of the most difficult things to do because naturally you want to make a road if there is no road and naturally you want to solve problems but to rest and to stand still and watch God do a new thing and he will build a road in the middle of wilderness and provide water in the desert.  

It's difficult that's why you see the scripture keeps reminding us because naturally we revert back and I look at the children of Israelite after God makes a road in the ocean for them to pass through and they get to the other side and they are in the desert he provides water and food, and in the wilderness, He shows up.  

Even after all that, they still complained and wanted to go back to Egypt. Garlic and salt, that's why they were clamoring for. And God, the same thing He was telling them, they hold on, do a new thing. I'm leading you to the Promised Land.  

In their mind, they wanted to revert back to the world they know how to operate in. And in that story concerning the children of Israelite and Egypt, you can see that we can get comfortable living in dysfunction that we can actually master living in dysfunction that we'll be so good at it.  

And we don't want to leave because we figured out how to live in this dysfunction. That's why God keeps saying behold I do a new thing. I'm about to do something that is different. Don't hold on to that life.  

Come this way, because even in this, once you start walking this way, I will build a road in the wilderness for you. And I'll make sure there's a river in the desert, that you have something to give you life.  

So brothers and sisters, let's hold on to our faith, to the belief that God is able, in the midst of all this chaos, to build a road that leads from point A to point B and to make sure that life, source of life, is provided for.  

And sometimes it's difficult to see in the midst of this chaos. Brothers and sisters, we need to be strong and not just for us, but we need to be strong as an example of faith. An example of faith.  

The things that are happening around us demands that if my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, seek my face, only then will I hear from heaven and heal their land.  

And that's the prayer for healing a nation but it also demands that the people that he has called by his name the ones that he says in this scripture they are my people, you belong to me those people the chosen people. We have to know that God in his infinite wisdom He's going to build a road in the wilderness for us to walk in.  

And He's going to provide water in the deserts. And that demands that your faith, my faith, stand the test of time so that we can be the people that are called by His name that will humble them, that will turn from their wicked ways.  

So that God can hear from Heaven and heal this land. But the very first thing that has to happen is you and I have to remain steadfast in our faith, in our belief that God will continue to build a road and you provide water in the wilderness.  

That is to sink in our hearts and in our minds. We should never be moved away from this thought. Because once we've moved from our faith, then our faith becomes shaky. And when our faith is shaky, it's very difficult to pray when your faith is shaky.  

So brothers and sisters, we have to be examples. We have to be examples. So that somebody somewhere gets to see and experience this and believe. This has been a very difficult week because of all the stuff that's going on in this country.  

But you and I should not be moved. We have to be the example. Everybody's talking. We should hold our tongue and be different. You know, my sister Veronica and Calvin, when they were doing, when they were teaching Bible study these past few weeks.  

They talked about us being steadfast, being able to defend the faith. You can't defend the faith if your faith is shaken. You can't defend the faith if you're not sure if God is going to build a road and is going to provide water in the desert.  

So we have to hold on. And the scripture will reiterate over and over again. In the end, you're going to hold on to your faith. Why do you hold on? You don't hold on unless something is pulling you out.  

Do not remember the former things. In other words, the old life. Not a considerate things of the old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road, I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers, not a river, rivers in the desert to give drink to my people, my chosen. 

These people I have formed for myself. They shall declare my praise, that's us, that's us. So, brothers and sisters, let's hold on to our faith so that we can be great examples. Let us pray. Father, we are blessed because of your hand that's on our lives.  

We are blessed because of your Spirit that anchors us daily. We are blessed because we have each other to encourage and to inspire one another. We are blessed because the love that you have for us is everlasting.  

We are blessed because we have a Father who cares about our needs and our concerns. We are blessed because you have given us assurance in this wilderness. So we thank you for what you have put in place to sustain us until the return of Christ.  

Father, I pray that in our judgment, may we exercise wisdom as we go about our days. May our spirit be anchored in the essence of who you are. Give us patience to hold our peace when sometimes this word demands that we say something.  

There is nothing that is going on that you can't see, you see it all. And we believe that you are guiding us, making all things work together for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.  

Father, I pray for this nation and all that is transpiring. May we never lose sight of what you are doing. Remove all fear that hinders progression in believers. There's so much division and dysfunction to show and to prove that the devil is running amok.  

But we thank you that your sovereign authority overrides everything. That there is nothing impossible for you to do. There is nothing too hard for you to do. You are able to vanquish force with the twinkling of an eye.  

You are able to bring order and peace in a moment. So we are going to rest in the fact that every single moment, hour, minute, is an opportunity for God to do something remarkable that can transform, change, and accentuate the lives of believers.  

I pray, Lord, that in our efforts to serve you, may we stand steadfast in our faith, anchored by the Holy Spirit, I thank you for wisdom. I pray for wisdom for all of us as we journey along. Let wisdom be our portion. I pray for understanding, knowledge.  

May we grow in the knowledge of who you are and we thank you for our children. We continue lifting these before you, dedicating them every opportunity we get. Because we know in your hands our kids are secure, they are safe, they are growing in the knowledge of who you are.  

Give us the ability and wisdom to teach them spiritual things. So that when they get older they will never depart from them. Protect them from harm and danger, seen or unseen, as they interact with different ones at school and in sports.  

Help our children to understand that they belong to Christ because we dedicated every single one of them to you. I pray, Lord, that their schools are secure and safe. Angels on assignment, guarding school properties in the name of Jesus. 

Father, we pray that as we go throughout this day, continue to touch us as we yield to you. Continue to strengthen us as we seek wisdom and understanding. I pray, Lord, for what you're doing in this season, in this era of our lives.  

May our legs be secure in Christ. May our health be secure because of his blood. May our minds be transformed because of his word. Pray for the spirit of generosity that we recognize opportunities to give of ourselves.  

So that somebody gets the benefit of this kingdom. I pray for every single person that is connected to us, that may they receive blessings as you bless us. Now we give you this day to lead us, to guide us in all things true.  

May you continue to walk us. May you continue, Lord, to encourage us, inspire us. And I pray, Lord, that may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and lead us not into temptation but continue to deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.  

Brothers and sisters, our God is powerful. He is all authority, He is inspiration. There is absolutely nothing you cannot do and we give you grace and honor and have an awesome, wonderful day. See you tomorrow.