All Things are New

I think Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes in Erie (he must have traveled more widely than historians realize) and in February. Like ours, his “life under the sun” was full of gray skies and low-hanging clouds. But unlike us, he had no spring to look forward to. He wasn’t anticipating warm breezes and bright sunshine and colorful spring tulips… There was nothing new under his sun. The meaningless, changeless gray was there to stay.

Solomon, Solomon. Weary, jaded, cynical. Except ye become as a little child - faith-filled, hopeful, eager – you will always miss the new. And, yes, there is new everywhere. Brighter spirits than yours wrote of it in the Old and New Testaments:

New mercies every morning
New covenant
New creation
New heart
New commandment
New fruit
New name
New Jerusalem
New heavens
New earth
New song

In fact, they wrote that if anyone places his trust in Christ, all things are become new - not just in the bye-and-bye, but here and now. Today, in each of our lives. And if we’re listening expectantly, we’ll hear a Voice saying, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Is. 43:18-19 NIV).