White as Snow

The south is covered in snow again, causing many churches to cancel services again. Rev. Watson Gunderson, pastor at Ora ARP Church in Gray Court, SC, has shared a devotion with us.

Well, contrary to the doubts of the kids, we finally got real snow! In this, we are yet again reminded that General Revelation (nature) points us back to God and how He works. For the prophet writes –

“Come now, 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 become like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18

Perhaps the words from Jesus Paid It All may come to your mind. But here in context, Isaiah had pointed out the wickedness of Judah, having strayed after false gods. Yet God, speaking through his prophet, reminded them, Judah, that there was Hope, Hope that was to come. Hope not just for a promised return from exile, an exile that was to come someday, but Hope for a true return, a return to a right relationship with our Creator. This, as our beloved hymn goes, was fulfilled through Christ Jesus, the very one promised in Isaiah’s book.

Snow is often considered one of the “whitest” things on earth, though some argue that it is not really white, but it is how the light reflects from it. Either way, it’s white when it’s fresh, especially to us Southerners.

It is hard to believe, but snow is so white that, when in abundance, it can blind you. In fact, the Yupik and Inuit peoples near the Arctic Circle have for generations worn special snow goggles made from wood, walrus tusks or bone. These “goggles” have a small slit over each eye to prevent snow blindness.

Which brings us back to the prophets’ words and our song. Our sins leave stains and damage us. They darken us. Yet when we trust in the salvific work of Jesus, all that brokenness, rot, and stain is made white as snow. Snow so clean that we reflect not the sun but the SON and that is what the Father sees when He sees you if you are in Christ.