God Makes a Way

“This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters… See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”  Isaiah 43:16, 19 (ESV)

We were studying Isaiah 43 this week, and it reminded us of a profound reality: life sometimes has a way of cornering us. Wouldn’t you agree?

Think of a time where it felt like you hit a wall in life where you just can’t see a way forward. Maybe it was bills piling up, a doctor’s report you didn’t expect, or a relationship that feels like it’s beyond repair. You pray, but all you see is a wilderness in front of you.

That’s exactly how Israel felt when God spoke through Isaiah. They were stuck in exile, far from home, far from hope. But into that discouragement, God reminded them: “I’m the one who split the sea. I’m the one who carved a path where there was no path.”

It’s as if He was saying, “Don’t forget who I am. If I made a way before, I can make a way again.”

Isaiah 43 reminds us: God is a Way Maker.

The same God who split the sea for Israel is still splitting seas for us.

Don’t Get Stuck in Yesterday

What’s interesting is that right after reminding Israel of the Red Sea miracle, God says: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past..” (Isaiah 43:18)

Wait—forget the miracle?

God wasn’t saying to erase it from memory. He was saying: “Don’t camp out there. Don’t live in yesterday’s story. I’m doing something new, and I don’t want you to miss it.”

We can get stuck in the past too. Sometimes it’s holding onto regret: “I’ve messed up too much. God could never use me now.” Other times it’s clinging to old victories: “God moved back then, but maybe that was my one shot.”

Either way, God’s word is the same: “I’m not done. Stop staring in the rear-view mirror. Look at what I’m about to do.”

Streams in the Desert

Then comes God’s promise: “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Picture that. Rivers flowing through dry ground. Life springing up where there was nothing but dust.

For Israel, the wilderness was exile—barren, hopeless, and dry. Yet God declared that He would bring life even there.

Maybe your wilderness looks like unemployment. Maybe your wasteland is a broken friendship. Maybe it’s your own heart that feels dried out.

The desert may look empty, but God says: “That’s exactly where I show up. Where you see a dead end, I carve a road. Where you see dry ground, I bring water.”

God’s specialty is turning deserts into rivers.

What Do We Do With That?

Scripture tells us even the wild animals will honor God because of His provision. He created His people – you and me – to proclaim His praise!

That’s our call.

When God opens a door or makes a way, don’t move on quickly. Pause. Worship. Pray. Share your testimony. Gratitude keeps us anchored to the God who provides.

Too often, we cry out to God when we’re desperate, but when He delivers, we move on without pausing to give Him glory. Worship is how we seal the story into our hearts.

Testimony is how we encourage someone else who might still be waiting for their miracle.

Seeing God’s Promise Today

God’s promise isn’t just ancient history—it happens all around us:

• A family loses everything in a storm yet experiences God’s provision through community and care.

• A person bound by addiction finds healing in Christ-centered recovery.

• A church, discouraged by cultural pressures, discovers creative new ways to reach its neighbors.

These aren’t just “good breaks.” Every one of these is a stream in the desert, a way God makes for us in the midst of our greatest trials.

Living With Hope

So how do we live this out? Here are four simple ways:

Trust God in your wilderness. Just because it feels empty doesn’t mean God has abandoned you.

Look for the new thing. Ask yourself: “Where might God be working in ways I haven’t noticed yet?” 

Let go of the past. Don’t let yesterday’s failures or even yesterday’s victories define today.

Respond with praise and worship. Gratitude should be our first instinct when God shows up.

A Word of Encouragement

Maybe right now you feel like Israel in exile—stuck, hopeless, far from where you thought you’d be. Hear God’s words again: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

God hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t run out of ideas for your life. The same God who split seas, fed thousands, and rolled away the stone is the God who’s walking with you right now.

So, take heart. The wilderness is not the end of your story. God makes a way.

Lord,

Thank You that You are still making a way today.

Help us stop living in the past and open our eyes to the new thing You are doing.

Fill our deserts with streams of life and teach us to respond with gratitude and faith.

 In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May God always guide your path.