During a bitterly frigid winter in our part of Michigan, there were many mixed emotions about the weather. As the snowy winter season pressed on into March, most people had long before fallen out of love with snow and were bemoaning long-range forecasts of low temperatures.
Yet the majestic beauty of the snow continued to amaze me. Even as I threw endless shovelsful of it from my driveway onto the over-my-head snowbanks, I was enthralled with the white stuff. One particular day, ice crystals filtered down from the sky to fall atop old snow. As my wife and I took a walk through this sparkling scene, it looked as if diamond dust had been sprinkled across the landscape.
In Scripture, snow seems to have varied purposes. God sends it as an indicator of His creative greatness (Job 37:6; 38:22-23). Snow-capped mountains irrigate the arid valleys below. But more significantly, God gives snow as a picture of our forgiveness. The gospel of Jesus provides a way for us to be cleansed of our sins and for our hearts to be made much âwhiter than snowâ (Ps. 51:7; Isa. 1:18).
The next time you see snowâin life or in photosâthank God for the forgiveness and the freedom from sinâs penalties that this beautiful, natural gift pictures for all who have put their trust in our Savior.
The prophet Isaiah, whose name means âthe Lord saves,â warned an unrepentant Judah of Godâs impending judgment (Isa. 1â12) through the Babylonian exile (39:6-7). He spoke of Godâs grace (chs. 40â55) and a future glorious restoration for all who would repent (chs. 11; 56â66). Here in Isaiah 1, God calls His people to consider carefully their sinfulness (vv. 2-15). He assures them that no matter how tainted and sinful they are (v. 18), God will cleanse, forgive, and bless them if they âare willing and obedientâ (v. 19). But He also warns of severe punishment if they fail to repent (v. 20). God is merciful, and He forgives those who submit to Him.