As last century ended I was in a meeting with a group of people who were trying to develop a single Christian school movement in Australia. One of the members, Bruce Campbell, brought a message from the Lord from Isaiah to the committee based on Isaiah 43:19. We all fervently hoped that this "new thing" would happen. Sadly it did not turn out the way we hoped but out of the attempt two good things did come about that bring hope for the future. Firstly, Christian Schools Australia was formed which brought together a large number of previously separate schools and secondly New Hope International was born with the vision of bringing together Christian schools across the world .to bring hope to the poorest nations of the world through education and community development. The majority of the schools in Australia and New Zealand who call themselves Christian schools have become networked through New Hope International Limited as they work together to bring the good news of Jesus Christ and to help people in a hurting world.
Over the past four years NHI has worked to fulfil its vision of "Bringing hope to people through education and community development." And already much has been accomplished. Burt as this New Year starts I am very much aware that there is so much yet to be done. As we start a New Year the word of the Lord through Isaiah is again a challenge and a guide as we struggle to know what to do out of the huge number of challenges we face in a very needy world.
"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48 17-18)

As we face this New Year I am challenged to pay attention to the commands of the Lord for He knows what is best for us and he will direct us in the way we should go.

How do we pay attention to his commandments? We can do it through listening prayerfully, through studying His Word carefully and receiving His word obediently and doing what He tells us. If we do this He promises to give peace like a river and righteous like the waves of the sea.
What great images these are. If I had looked for an image of peace I would have thought of a calm lake reflecting the beautiful mountain scenery. But a river in full flow is God's image of peace. It is an active image of purity and plenty and purpose as the river flows down from the mountain to the sea, bringing its life-giving waters where ever it goes. May we all be people of peace who bring health and healing through our lives and our action.
But what about the righteousness like the waves of the sea. What do we know about the waves of the sea? They speak of the great renewing power. The sand may be marked and covered with rubbish form the picnics of yesterday but today's waves give us a clean stray the rubbish is removed. So it is with god's righteousness. Waves have the power to carry all before them. They can be destructive but they are also constructive. Paul says, "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."
This righteousness is like the waves of the sea and goes on cleansing our lives "Through faith in his blood". That is what so amazing. For those who do not have faith in his death and who are not saved through faith one day' God's righteousness will come like a tsunami and sweep them away.