Quiet Time Coaching Episode 449 | New Thing Series — Part 4 | “Gathered” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: '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.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 

In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 5-9.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.””
(Isaiah 43:5-9 NIV11)

- He will gather you from the ends of the earth, return you to the promised land (a symbol of heaven)
- The identity of those gathered: Israel (true believers)
- All the children— sons & daughters— of God, Ro. 8:16–17; 2 Cor. 6:17–18; Ga. 4:4–6
    - “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16-17 NIV11)
    - “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.”” (Galatians 4:4-6 NIV11)
- All who are believers & created for His glory (see the new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17; Ep. 2:10; 4:24)
    - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!     - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
    - and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”     - (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; 4:24 NIV11)
- The summons for unbelieving Jews to see & hear: Believe God
- The summons for the unbelieving nations to assemble
- To acknowledge that the Lord foretold the restoration of Israel
- To prove their claim that their gods were real, that they could predict future events

For Reflection
- What does it mean to you that you are a son or daughter of our heavenly father?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

God bless, Malcolm

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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