Recently, we had our first snowfall of winter. The freezing rain soon formed into heavy, powdery snowflakes that quickly covered the dull earth in a beautiful blanket of brilliance. Another storm is forecasted with the promise of more snow soon in Arkansas: one that could last for days. My children and grandchildren are joyfully anticipating the weather with hopes of sledding, building snowmen, and playing in the white powder with exuberance.
I love the vivid beauty of snow in winter. White snowflakes cover the brown dormant grass, it dusts the seemingly dead and naked trees with its powdery vividness. It covers the mud and the ugly reality of the dead or slumbering things in winter.
I’m reminded of a song I’ve sung in church: “white as snow, white as snow, though my sins were as scarlet. Lord, I know, Lord, I know, I am clean and forgiven…” The song references David’s plea to God for forgiveness in Psalms 51. David knew he’d sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba. And then after learning Bathsheba was pregnant, David arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. His grievous sins made his soul muddy and dirty in the eyes of God. His sins produced death. David knew he needed a Redeemer. He realized he needed forgiveness and restoration. David knew he needed to be made clean and pure again or white as snow.
Maybe our sins are not as grievous as David’s, but our souls can become soiled by sin’s effects. Perhaps we’re having difficulty with a close relationship. Hurt, anger, and bitterness have muddied our hearts with unforgiveness towards that person. Maybe we struggle with a serious issue or addiction that’s produced a loss in a relationship like the dead of winter. Or perhaps it’s that our souls are simply dull and dead towards God, like the cold, dormant season.
Whatever the issue, God longs to restore us and bring beauty. He wants to rain or snow down His Presence and forgiveness like giant snowflakes of love. He wants to revive our hearts with beauty like freshly fallen snow. He wants to restore life even in the winter season of the soul. He wants to give us a joyful, playful life like sledding children. He covers our sins and makes us white as snow!
Beloved:
Draw near to Me and never fear Me. No sin or failure is too great or too small that I cannot forgive then restore you. Return to Me! I love you dearly. Know that I make you new. I make you white as snow and pure in My eyes. Come close like a delightful child! For you are indeed My beloved one.
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalms 51:7)
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