Don’t you love the smell of a brand new, clean car! Like us, God loves the smell of brand new and clean manufactured by the Holy Spirit. The wonderful news is that he wants to do this within you.
A great story was recorded in 2 Kings 5 about Naaman, the Commander of the Army of Aram, a powerful ancient middle eastern kingdom. This mighty military leader contracted leprosy and desperately searched for a cure. The cure came from Elisha, the Israelite Prophet, who through his messenger commanded Naaman in verse 10, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and cleansed.” Even though Naaman felt this was a ridiculous request, he humbled himself and obeyed the command. In verse 14, “So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” Naaman’s humility and obedience allowed God to do something brand new and clean in his life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Brand new and clean!
Romans 12:2 asserts for us to “not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” God wants us to be transformed…not in the same form or character…brand new and clean!
Whether it is your marriage, relationship with your children or extended family, your boss or co-worker, maybe a neighbor that does things that are really irritating, you’re overwhelmed with life and under the pile expectations from others, the consequences of sin, a fearful situation, depression or anxiety, cry out to God setting your mind on Him not your flesh. Never forget Lamentations 3 “22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning.” Let Him to do something brand new and clean in you this very day.
