Redeemed

By John Barnett

Whiter than snow you have made me, holy in the Father’s eyes.

How do you feel about snow?

In general, it seems like people have quite mixed feelings about this cold precipitation. Some people love snow while others dread it. Personally, I enjoy how beautiful the snow looks, but I hate the cleanup and inconveniences that come with it. And boy did we have quite a mess to clean up here in NJ this week! But even though it may cause inconveniences, I can’t help but look at the bright, white snow and think about God’s grace.

You see, when we sin, it’s like our hearts become dirty. The more we sin, the dirtier our hearts become. But when we turn to Jesus and repent of our sin, he takes a soapy wet washcloth and wipes away the dirt that covers our hearts, making it clean again. More than that, he makes sure all the stains are gone too, because he keeps no record of our wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).

This is such a hard concept for us to grasp! We are quick to hold grudges, slow to forgive and show mercy, abounding in love that is conditional. But God is none of those things. It is so awe-inspiring to me that God, creator of the universe, ruler of all things, cares so much about us little humans that he has mercy on our sins and loves us unconditionally.

One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 51. This was written by King David after his affair with Bathsheba, when he realized that he had sinned. Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance, as David confesses his guilt and asks the Lord to cleanse his sin-stained heart. He pleads,

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

And going along with the snow theme, God himself says that our sinful, guilt-stained hearts can become as white as snow:

‘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

When we repent of our sins, our hearts are made clean. We become pure and holy, just as God commands of us (Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2). When God looks at us, he doesn’t see dirt and mud, but a blanket of white snow. Today’s song, “Redeemed,” reminds us of this.

Last week at church we talked about mercy and forgiveness. This week’s topic is grace and sanctification. For that reason, I think it is so fitting that God sent us this snowfall when he did. As we learn about grace and mercy, we can look at the snow, the pure white snow, the kind untouched by children and snowplows, and be reminded that that is how God sees us.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2

Click here to listen to “Redeemed,” written by John Barnett.