White as Snow
Today’s Verse:
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ~Isaiah 1:18
Here in Northern California, we are within a close driving distance to the Sierra Nevada mountains. After a snow storm, the Sierra mountains are a beautiful, white landscape that appears to go for miles upon miles. Everything is covered in snow. We use a snow-covered scene to describe something white by saying it is as white as snow. God describes the aftereffect of His cleansing of our sin as “white as snow.”
We see the appalling.
“Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” God made full disclosure to the nation of Judah of its sin. The people were practicing idol worship and had adopted the sinful practices of the pagan nations around them. The people lived in moral failure, in drunkenness, and for material gain. The Sabbath was polluted with people buying and selling when they were to rest and worship. God was provoked to indignation against their stubborn rebellion.
We see the approaching.
“But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” There are always consequences to sin. “The wages of sin is death.” God told them that He would send a nation from the north to execute judgment against them if they did not repent of their sin. There would be judgment by sword, famine, and captivity. Flagrant rebellion against God will always be met with chastening and judgment.
We see the appeal.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD….” God is saying that He had a dispute with His people. When there is unconfessed sin in our life, God makes it clear in no uncertain language that He has a dispute with us. He appeals to His people to sober up and realize that we must see our sin the way He sees it. We must agree with God in seeing our sin as corrupt, defiling, evil, grievous, and wicked. God’s appeal is urgent and demands our immediate response.
We see the appropriation.
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” God invites us to come to Him with a repentant heart, seeking His forgiveness and cleansing in our life. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin: past, present, and future. His blood is 100% efficacious for our cleansing. God says that our sins, which are red like scarlet,shall be made as white as snow; and though they are red like crimson, they shall be as the clean wool of a sheep. This comparison assures us of the availability of a complete and thorough washing of our sin. It is ours if we appropriate it with a sincere and repentant heart.
We see the approval.
Where there is forgiveness and cleansing, we have restoration and reconciliation. God says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” God’s forgiveness gives us His approval. Cleansing from sin makes us in appearance as white as snow. Come now and receive a thorough washing.
Have a washed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 32-34