Fresh WindSample

  

Aroma of God (The Church bearing His anointing) 

“We need a fresh wind, the fragrance of heaven,

Pour Your Spirit out, pour Your Spirit out,

A holy anointing, the power of Your presence,

Pour Your Spirit out, pour Your Spirit out”

— Fresh Wind, Hillsong Worship

After the Israelites were delivered from the oppression of Pharaoh in Egypt with the parting of the Red Sea, God gave their leader, Moses, instructions for creating a space for the Spirit of God to dwell in the midst of the people. This space, known as the tabernacle, was holy and sacred, consecrated and set apart to the Lord. Moses was instructed to create a holy anointing oil from a mix of aromatic spices, and to anoint the tabernacle and those who ministered there with this oil, marking them as those whose lives were set apart for the work of God in their community. They were anointed and carried a fragrance of consecration.

Years before the day of Pentecost, there was a prophet named Joel, who spoke of the Holy Spirit being poured out. Like the Israelites leaving Egypt all those years earlier, the Spirit of God was beckoning people to repent, return out of destruction and despair, and reconcile themselves with the Holy Spirit so that once again a fresh wind could blow, breathing revival, blessing and purpose into their lives.

In Joel 2:28, God promises that after the people repent and return, the Holy Spirit will be poured out, anointing the people whose lives are set apart for the work of God in their community. When we submit our lives to God, we become the place where the Spirit of God can dwell, anointed, set apart and purposed to love people in our community, telling them of the saving power of Jesus. 

The aroma of God, this fragrance of heaven, is the anointing that sets us apart in our communities, as we love those who are deemed unlovable, reach out to those whom society has abandoned and yes, even in the nitty gritty of our daily lives. When we choose to be kind instead of getting revenge or proving we’re right, we leave a scent behind. As we choose to maintain our integrity when it would be so easy to compromise our beliefs for a moment, that scent drifts through the room. Day-to-day, as we live in the example Jesus gave us, the fragrance of heaven leaves a trace, leading others to the goodness and forgiveness of God.

Reflection & Application:

Take a few moments to pause and reflect. Where in your life is the Spirit of God calling you to be set apart? Where do you need the fragrance of heaven? Write these down, pray and ask God to breathe a fresh wind in your life.

Prayer:

I pray that you will anoint me today, Lord Jesus. Set me apart. I pray that the fragrance of your Holy Spirit will follow me in every interaction so that the whole world will know of who you are and come to the saving knowledge of your resurrection power. In the name of Jesus, amen!