stephen R Harrison

JOY 365: Day 24

“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

The snow is here! Well, it’s mostly sleet, but it covered most of the State and the southeast part of the Nation. Most of the time when it snows in Arkansas, everything shuts down. While snow days are rare, they afford us the opportunity to slow down and spend time with family. We took time to play in the snow, and then I went on a walk through the neighborhood. I thought about the Bible verses with the word “snow” in them. I came up with a handful from memory, but there are over twenty. My favorite is Isaiah 1:18. It says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”

I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried to paint over a red wall, but it’s nearly impossible. Red is notorious for bleeding through even a good primer and a couple coats of paint. As I walked in the snow, I thought of that. The devil wants to consume your thoughts with the sins of your past as if they can never be covered. They linger in our minds, sometimes causing us to question if we can truly be forgiven. Isaiah 1:18 says our sins are like scarlet and crimson, red that can never be fully covered. However, Jesus doesn’t cover up our sins. He removes them! Because of Jesus, God doesn’t hold our sins against us and treats us as if we never sinned. Praise God! As I continued in the snow, I praised God and was filled with joy for all He has forgiven me, cleansing me white as snow. The forgiveness of sins (Psalm 32:1-2) brings great rejoicing (Psalm 32:11).

How do your sins being made white as snow bring you joy?