I’m sitting by the window gazing at the mountains I love so.
They’re snow-speckled now.
And though the snow has finally been scraped from the streets, there’s still a thick, white blanket of it across our lawn.
It’s beautiful in a pristine…spotless…perfect sort of way.
Gone is the typical gray, cloudy haze that covers our valley on most winter days.
In fact, I can barely stand to look out the window.
The brilliance of the sun’s reflection on the bright-white snowy surface is almost more than my eyes can bear.
I’ve heard that people who work outside for any length of time can get sunburned badly from this phenomenon. That doesn’t surprise me. The brightness is that intense.
“Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow,” David pleads in Psalm 51:7.
He had sinned. Horrifically.
He had fallen. Catastrophically.
He committed adultery. And murder. Two of “the big ones.”
The consequences of his sin were far-reaching…as they usually are.
And even from the black gouge of adultery slashed across David’s heart…
and the dark crimson blood-stain spattered there…
he could be washed whiter than snow.
That’s how powerful God’s forgiveness is. How strong the blood of Christ.
There is no sin beyond the reach of His grace.
No stain stronger than His blood.
Take a moment and consider that with me. Revel in it. Thank Him for it. Praise His name for His blood that washes us whiter than snow.
But…why?
Is it just so we can have our consciences assuaged following a horrific sin?
So we can live with ourselves again after catastrophic falls?
So we can look in the mirror once more without being repulsed by the person we see there? By the memory of acts committed?
So we can bask in our whiteness?
NO…
These are gracious benefits of being whiter than snow. But it’s not all…
We’re washed whiter than snow so we can reflect the Son’s radiance.
So that when people look into our lives, they can barely stand to gaze upon the glory of the One we reflect.
So that for just a while we can banish the cold, dark winter days hovering over those still in the bondage of sin…
…casting His light into their lives with His presence in us…
…and with the pure joy that floods our faces and pervades our posture…
…just because we’re His.
Have you been washed whiter than snow?
If so…are people being dazzled by your Savior’s radiance reflecting upon your life?
May it be true of us, Lord Jesus!
This reminds me of taking my little ones out after a snow storm. After the clouds have passed and the sun’s raise on the perfect white snow. I was ready to go in far sooner than they where. It was cold. But more than that I was tired of squinting because the sun’s reflection of the snow was so bright I couldn’t keep my eyes fully open.
Wow, God makes us whiter than snow. *Not just for our own forgiveness* But so that we may reflect HIS glory.
Thank you for this. This gives me so much to meditate throughout the day. I praise God for your writing. 🙂 Please keep writing and thank you.
Yes, I’ve had that same experience with my own kids, Caitlin! 🙂 That’s exactly what I was trying to describe. I’m so grateful to you for reading, and for taking the time to share your experience!
This post brings me such hope! Thank you for sharing this – a timely reminder for me. Blessings, friend!!
Hello, friend! God is so good to grant us those hefty doses of hope right when we need it, isn’t He? Blessings to you always.