Our second meditation this week on the subject of SNOW leads us to God’s words through Isaiah, the prophet: ‘Come now, and let us reason together’, says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as WHITE AS SNOW; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool’, Isaiah chapter 1 verse 18.

In the opening verses of the book of Isaiah, God confronted His people with the grievous sins that they had committed. Among them was exploitation of the underprivileged of society, particularly the widows and orphans. In the New Testament, James, the brother of Jesus, indicates how important this aspect of care is: ‘Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble’, James chapter 1 verse 27. This same care remains the responsibility of Christians today.

Through Isaiah, God challenged His people to change their ways. They deserved immediate judgment for their wickedness but:

• ‘Come now . . .’, He graciously gave them the opportunity to repent.
• ‘reason’ is a legal term that means more than just having a discussion with someone – it has the thought of arguing out a case in the courtroom. The great possibility by doing so is that there can be a dramatic and lasting change brought about, if guilt is acknowledged and true repentance is shown by the guilty ones.
• ‘Scarlet’ can become ‘white as SNOW’, and ‘crimson’ can become as ‘WOOL’. The dramatic colours mentioned indicate how stained our lives can become by sin but it is possible for us to be cleansed through turning in repentance to God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. King David prayed to God, ‘Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be WHITER THAN SNOW’, Psalm 51 verse 7.

Cleanse me from my sin, Lord, put Thy power within, Lord,
Take me as I am, Lord, and make me all Thine own.
Keep me day by day, Lord, underneath Thy sway, Lord,
Make my heart Thy palace, and Thy royal throne.