This section of the passage can be broken down into 4 sections:
1. God delivered Israel in the Exodus (16-17)
2. Remember not the former things; things of old consider not (18)
3. I am about to do a new thing (19a)
4. God will deliver Israel in the Return (19b-21)
This highlights the movement from God's past activity in the exodus from Egypt to God's promise of present deliverance.
There is no need to limit God to past mercies—God is an ever present help. The gospel needs to be heard every day. The life-giving word of forgiveness cannot be proclaimed in the past tense. It was wonderful when it was announced yesterday, but yesterday's gospel is today's law.
We need to hear the gospel afresh, every day.
(Meditation summarized from workingpreacher.org)
afresh
/əˈfreSH/
adverb
1. in a new or different way.
Why read your Bible every day? So God can do something new in YOU. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) --- Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. Isaiah 43:16-21 | ESV
