A New Beginning
By Nelson Thomas Mumbai
Few years ago a woman in south India wanted to restart life all over again. She traveled to a hilly area and dropped her car into a gorge. Her intention was to make the world believe that she died in an accident and she is no more. But the investigating officers found her in Chennai with a new identity. She thought that with a new name, new husband, new job and a new house she would have a new beginning.
She is not alone. There are many who hope and long for a new beginning in their life. Due to constant failure and subsequent frustrations they simply look back and melancholically wish, ‘if only I could start all over again!’ Quite often this remains only as a dream.
Even if one takes a new step, they soon realize the need to change again! Frequent new beginnings and abrupt endings lead to depression and hopelessness.
Don’t we have a way out of failures and frustrations in life? Is it possible to experience a New Beginning? Let us consider five things in this connection:-
1. God alone is the beginner of all beginnings
Bible starts with the statement that “In the beginning God created”, Genesis.1:1. It was God who began everything that we see today. (cf. John 1:3; Colo. 1:16) And the remarkable reality is that He Himself has neither beginning nor end. He makes no mistake, needs no modification. In His eternal wisdom and plan He began things that never became a failure. Yes, ‘He has done all things well’. (Mark 7: 37)
2. Man by nature is finite and fails in his beginnings
Using the God-given mind, human beings can think and plan many things. (Pro. 19:21) Man has the magnificent capacity to imagine, investigate and scheme things. He also has the ability to implement those designs. But due to sin, often he ends up in breakdown and disappointment. In the beginning everything may seem to be right, productive, but in the end dissatisfaction remains. (Pro. 16:25)
However failure doesn’t stop a man from scheming new ways. He will try another avenue only to face the same fate. Without yielding to the Creator man continues with the cycle of beginnings and endings.
3. God is the beginner of new beginnings
The Lord not only begins new, He also renews. (Psalm 104:30) It’s true; sin marred the condition of man and the earth. But human failure can never frustrate the eternal purposes of God. In His sovereign will and wisdom He makes everything new again in accordance with His eternal purposes.
We see in the book of Genesis, the increased wickedness of man and the subsequent wrath of God and punishment. But He begins again with Noah and family. (Gen. 6: 7, 8) When that generation also failed to stay faithful to God, He chose Abraham to start afresh. (Gen. 11, 12)
The Lord did not cancel His dealings with man because of the rebellion and disobedience of the Israelites. Instead He declared He will make a new covenant with them and give a new heart with a new Spirit. (Jer. 31:32; Ezk. 36:26)
Thus, we see the Lord allows men to start all over again. Make no mistake; His purposes will never fail. He is more than happy to deal with us again. What a comfort it’s for the failed and depressed soul! It’s never too late to take a new turn. Of course, any such step should come from God alone, through Him and for Him. (Rom. 11:36)
4. God begins with the heart of man
The basis of all new beginnings as far as man is concerned should begin with his heart. Heart is the emotional and intellectual center of our being. It is the fountain of life. (Pro. 4:23b JND) If the heart is clean and clear, everything else will be alright. (Matt. 15: 18, 19)
That’s why the Lord promised to transform our stony heart to a soft fleshly heart. (Ezekiel 36: 26) That’s exactly what we experience once we come to Christ for salvation. The Spirit of God begins to indwell within us and everything becomes new. A new creation takes place. As a result, we get a new nature, new direction, new purpose, even a new name. (2Cor. 5:17; 2Pet. 1:4)
However, before such wonderful divine operation, man is required to break his heart open before the Lord. (Ezek. 18:31; Joel 2:13) We need to acknowledge our sins and confess it to the Lord with sorrow. Seek forgiveness and cleansing on the basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jn. 1:7, 9)
Everyone has to begin here. Sad, many make a number of resolutions month after month, and year after year. They just try to become better by self-effort. With all the wickedness and hostility in heart, rebellious man will never be able to begin afresh, whatever firm decision he may take.
A new life and renewed relationship with God alone is the right beginning for all new beginnings in our life. That is possible only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Success depends upon many new beginnings in life
True and sustained victory in life demands several new beginnings that touch various aspects of life.
Once a believer begins to experience new life in Jesus Christ they also begin to realize the need for new strength and grace on a daily basis. As with our physical body, our inner man also needs nourishment and renewed energy by feeding on the Word of God. (1Peter 2: 1 - 31; Isa. 40:31)
Failure in this area makes one fruitless and carnal. (1Cor. 3:1ff) Being convicted of their poor spiritual state they too would cry in helplessness, ‘can I start all over again?’
Path in the waters
Yes, indeed! That’s what the scripture says. Notice these words; "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of 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.” (Isaiah 43: 18, 19)
What encouraging words were these to the Israelites who were fallen, depressed and demoralized due to prolonged captivity!
Don’t judge the future with the past experiences. God will do unprecedented, unexpected things for them. Path in the waters and rivers in the desert were something they never imagined. (Isaiah 43:16, 19)
In Isaiah 41:4 the Lord reminds them of His actions from the beginning and exhorts them not to fear the future or dwell on the past. He is able to do exceeding abundantly than we ask or think.
Such a new beginning for Israel will be evident and people will see their newness and enjoy their fruit, even call them by a new name. (Isaiah 62:2; Ezek. 47:12) Their lost glory and status will be restored.
All these are applicable for a believer’s spiritual life today. No need to be discouraged and depressed due to the persistent problems and trials. Even now, a new beginning is possible. Refuse to dwell on the past. Look forward. (Phil. 3:13, 14) Come close to Him. Wait upon Him. Be cleansed afresh by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Renew your relationship and grow from strength to strength.
Failure not final
Remember, as someone has rightly observed, ‘victorious life is always a series of new beginnings’. No need to consider the present state to be an end in itself. Any end can be a new beginning. Failure could be a back door to success, stumbling block could be a stepping stone and weakness can be our strength through the amazing grace of the Lord. Hallelujah!
We have plenty of examples. Moses who failed in the first mission, Peter who denied the Lord and John Mark who deserted the Lord’s servants; they all could start all over again and succeed.
Job’s story is more pertinent. A blameless, upright, God fearing man suddenly loses all what he has - wealth, health, family and everything. Every one forsook him, even his wife. They all thought that the story of Job was over.
Yet we read, “The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.” (Job 42:12) The Lord not only restored all what he lost but gave it double.
A close study of the passage reveals that 4 things took place before he regained his past glory.
i. He saw the Lord and His greatness, Job 42:1, 2, and 5
ii. He saw his true self and hated it, Job 42:6
iii. He repented with sorrow, Job 42:6
iv. He prayed seriously and selflessly, Job 42:10
Beloved, what are you waiting for? Start afresh now. Any moment can be a new beginning with Christ. Before it’s too late, take the above steps by faith and ask the Lord Almighty to grant a new beginning.
6. The culmination of all the new beginnings
It is interesting to notice that Isaiah while explaining the divine programs of new beginnings goes on to explain the future program of God too. There we see the climax of the new beginnings God initiated. Isaiah 65:17 cf. Rev. 21:1
When the world leaders are trying to bring about a new world order and fail miserably, the prophet Isaiah says God will set up a new heaven and a new earth. God will intervene in the affairs of man putting an end to all the uncertainties.
Any beginning will have an end, but the beginning of our life with Christ will have no end. So let’s make sure that we begin with Him.
