Don’t you love a new tube of toothpaste? Or a new package of eyeshadow? Ooooo, even better, a new package of gum! Why is that? It’s all there, brand new, fresh, easy to get to, not damaged or torn up. Fresh and new. Endless possibilities. OK, maybe toothpaste doesn’t really have endless possibilities, but a fresh start does! A clean slate.
In Psalm 51:10, the psalmist asks the Lord to create in him a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit inside of him. Renew it. Make it new again. I love that our God is able to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). All things. That means there is nothing that cannot be made fresh and new. Redeemed and made whole again. Lamentations 3:23 tells us that He has a fresh set of mercies for us every morning, knowing what we will need for that day. Not half-used ones, or the less expensive brand, but rich and fresh mercies and compassion for us every day. His faithfulness is so great, He already has it prepared for us before we need it. I guess the key is, are we asking for it like the psalmist did and taking it up for ourselves. Are we allowing Him to make all things new in our lives, or are we holding tightly to the damaged pieces afraid to see what will happen if we let go? I love II Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” That’s a promise! So how come sometimes I feel like a whole lot of “old” is still hanging around? The key is the word “in” Christ. The Greek word here means “a relation of rest.” Meaning like a pebble resting in my hand. Better yet, meaning me resting in God’s hand. Are you trusting Him with your life in this New Year, resting in Him, allowing Him to work in your life as He wants to? Because if you are, the old has gone, the new has come!
Carrie
