An interesting map is on display in the British Museum in London. It's an old marina's chart drawn in 1525, outlining the North American coastline and adjacent waters. The Cartographer made some intriguing notations on areas of the map that represented regions not yet explored. He wrote: "Here be giants," "Here be fiery scorpions," and "Here be dragons." Eventually, the map came into the possession of Sir John Franklin, a British explorer in the early 1800s. Scratching out the fearful inscriptions, he wrote these words across the map: "HERE IS GOD."

Prophet Isaiah was comforting Israel in our text after their humiliating experience during their captivity in Babylon and national shame it brought. He wanted them to understand how impossible it was for them to make progress as a nation without breaking from the past and focusing on the future. He anchored his encouragement on the endless possibilities of God's promise to do a new thing.

As we begin the New Year, we must forget the impossibilities of the past and focus on what God has promised to do in the future. Though we live in a world that is uncertain and unpredictable, we have a God who knows the end from the beginning. The angry, bitter and painful words spoken against us in the past year must be allowed to pass with it. We must equally bury the old negative thoughts, speak positively to our future and allow God be in charge during moments of our deepest fears.

The failure, disappointment, distress and destruction of the past year will surely give way to progress and success in this New Year. God has promised to make everything beautiful for us in this New Year. You have nothing to worry about. Welcome to a brand New Year. Happy New Year!