“In Heaven and on Earth”

“Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.”  (Psalm 135:6 ESV)

Depending on where you are today, looking outside will give you a view unique to you. My eyes see that God chose to bless us with a tremendous amount of snow. At the same time, I was standing in the wonderland of white this morning. I thought of how clean everything looked. The sun gleamed off the ice and snow like polished silver.

God cleansed this part of creation, and when this snow melts, it will feed the growth of spring. God chose to do this. It is written in the Book of Job, “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’ (v 37:6) While those around me may lament the snow, I happen to love it.

We who are in Christ have been washed whiter than snow, cleansed of our sins by the blood of Christ. Like David, who wrote, Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow, (Psalm 51:7), in our repentance, we too are purified before the Lord. Isaiah said our sins are crimson, they are scarlet red, like the wrath God feels towards them. Yet like Isaiah said, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Christ has healing power, as he demonstrated on earth, He also demonstrates in the healing of the hearts of sinners. And, “though your sins are scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).

I see before me a white blanket of purification—a reminder of the rebirth in spring, the rebirth of the repentant sinner. I know the hope of the resurrection, a Savior whose blood, while red, cleanses one like the pure white of wool. That is what I see. While clearing this snow is work, are we not also a work in progress for the Lord? Are we not on a path of sanctification, growing in righteousness each day we tarry with the Lord, not wanting to lose any time with Him? That is what I see.

What do you see? Do you know the hope that rests in the Lord? Do you marvel at His creation and recognize that it is what it is? Do you know Christ as your Savior, the healer of hearts and minds, the great redeemer? If you do not and are tired of the crimson red you see in the mirror, seek Jesus; you have a whole new perspective on this life and the next.

Grace and Peace.