“Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old.
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
In the quiet of winter, a garden can appear lifeless with it’s bare soil, dormant beds, and the memory of what once grew. Yet beneath the surface, renewal is already underway. In Isaiah 43:19, God declares, “See, I am about to do something new.” The Hebrew word used here is “Chadash” meaning to renew, to restore, or make fresh again.
This promise was spoken to Israel during their exile. They were a people who felt cut off from their land, their worship, and their future. God was reminding them that covenant hope does not end in captivity. Even in barren places, the Lord is faithful to renew what He has planted.
Gardeners understand this same rhythm. Old roots must be cleared. Hardened soil must be turned. What remains from a previous season cannot always stay if new life is to emerge. God invites us to release what belongs to yesterday so that He can bring forth something renewed.
For those praying for Israel, and for our own lives, Chadash reminds us that God is still at work. He brings streams in deserts and life where nothing appears to be growing. The Master Gardener has not abandoned His land or His people. Renewal is already in motion.
Adrianne L. Watson is a licensed minister, missionary, and Bible teacher who equips leaders and brings Scripture to life through practical teaching, art, and gardening. She holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University and Dallas Theological Seminary. adriannelwatson.com
