The thought of newness always comes to one with a sense of refreshment. It brings a vision of gladness, of hope, of courage, of a possibility of further achievement, of a broader activity. Any thought of something new brings quick response and an alertness ready to investigate and test the thing presented, always with an underlying faith that an added good may come into experience through the newly acquired. It is a wonderful fact that although through the ages mankind has constantly been confronted with new things, new aspects, new possibilities, and has found them more often than otherwise disappointing, in spite of this, the instant something new is brought to view men are as alert and quick to reach out for it as though a new thing had never before been encountered.
Humanity is always longing for that which will satisfy. It is constantly reaching out for that which will bring it surcease from sorrow and disappointment, and will supply it with unfailing good. It has discovered through long experience that whatever has to do with matter, be it called old or new, is but transitory and results in no lasting satisfaction. New year after new year has apparently come and gone only to leave— when contemplated from a material standpoint—a train of disappointed hopes and frustrated desires. And still the new year recurs, and with it, as Pope says, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast; " but he goes on to state, "Man never is, but always to be blest." Behold the fleeting nature of all that has to do with mortal concepts!
And yet the Bible has been teaching for centuries that there is a newness which lasts, which satisfies, which brings the constant refreshment of Spirit. Centuries before the Christian era God's promise to His people was, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." Could one imagine for a moment that such a gift could do less than bring a perpetual sense of the renewal of all that is satisfying and desirable? Jeremiah tells us that "the Lord's mercies...are new every morning." With even the faintest understanding of God one must, acknowledge that nothing which belongs to God could ever grow old. All that is of Him must certainly always retain its vigor, freshness, and perfection. Even while it holds its original newness it would still be unfolding into greater beauty,—always fulfilling the promise of more good.
