Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

17 Feb 2026

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”Isaiah 43:18-19

Today marks the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year — a time of fresh starts. Families gather not only to celebrate, but to restore relationships, reaffirm unity, and look ahead with hope for new opportunities.

As we step into the Year of the Horse, Scripture provides a meaningful lens through which to understand renewal. In many cultures, the horse symbolizes strength, endurance, and forward momentum. These qualities mirror the spiritual posture we are called to embrace—courage to move ahead, perseverance through challenges, and confidence in the journey before us.

Through Prophet Isaiah, God instructs His people not to dwell on former things, but to perceive the “new thing” He is already bringing forth. This does not mean ignoring the past, but refusing to be defined by past failures, disappointments, or even former successes. God assures us that He is continually at work—making a way in the wilderness, creating streams in the wasteland, and providing direction where none seemed visible.

The images of a pathway in the desert and water in dry land clearly demonstrate God’s transforming power. What appears barren can become fruitful. What seems blocked can open into possibility. What feels uncertain can be guided by His faithful hand. Just as the horse runs forward with energy and determination toward new horizons, we too are invited to move into this new year with trust and expectation.

Isaiah 43:18–19 teaches us not to remain trapped in past disappointments or past successes, but to lift our eyes to what God is doing now. As we enter a new season, we are invited to move forward with confidence in God’s faithful provision, joy in His unchanging promises, and gratitude for the fresh beginnings He places before us.

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old." —Peter F. Drucker