Ecclesiastes 1:9, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."
Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
"New and Improved." That's the go-to phrase for marketing a slightly updated product that was originally disappointing. Have you ever seen it on a product display or heard it on a commercial and fallen for this age-old tagline?
"New and Improved" is not limited to products and services. For thousands of years, Satan has been trying to deceive people with "better" versions of the same old temptations. He keeps luring us into the pursuit of wealth, power, relationships, personal accomplishments, and knowledge - promising that THIS time they won't disappoint. Have you ever fallen for Satan's false advertising tactics when it comes to temptation?
If you have been in the desert wasteland of disappointment, there is great news! There is a "new and improved" alternative that really works. When we adopt God's perspective of wealth, power, relationships, personal accomplishments, and knowledge, He can make them NEW. Instead of looking to them for meaning and value, we can see them as blessings to be used for God's purposes. We can finally replace disappointment and disillusionment with significance and satisfaction! Then, and only then, can we say, "No thanks, Satan! Been there, done that!" and give the product of his temptation a zero-star recommendation!
What is the "new and improved" temptation that you keep thinking will satisfy you this time? If you aren't sure, ask God to show you. Then, invite God to give you His perspective and plan for finding satisfaction.
God, Thank You for providing a way that brings true significance and satisfaction. Protect me from Satan's phony products and remind me that it is nothing but a scam. Give me the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the actions required to flee from false advertisements. In Jesus' name, Amen.