Whiter Than Snow

As I sit at my computer and write this the snow is starting up again.  We had a snow day yesterday with the usual Vancouver area chaos that snow brings.  Mind you, when more than a foot of snow falls it usually has a bit of an impact anywhere.

But, it’s not lost on me that there’s something beautiful about the snow as well.  My niece commented on the peace of it in a response to some pictures of my snowy neighbourhood that I put on Facebook and I quite agree with her.

It’s also been a reminder to me that this is a picture that God used to help us understand how beautifully clean God makes us when He washes away our sins.

And so we want to simply pray the prayer that is such a great model for us, given to us by King David after he’d been confronted about his sin.  In spite of the ugliness of what he’d done, David turned His heart towards God and asked for the forgiveness that we are assured of in the words:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

So let’s do the same, shall we.  Let’s open our hearts to God and receive the amazing cleansing from God that makes our hearts whiter than snow.

God, be merciful to me because of your faithful love. Because of your great compassion, erase all the wrongs I have done. Scrub away my guilt. Wash me clean from my sin.

Psalm 51:1-2

I know I have done wrong. I remember that sin all the time.  I did what you said is wrong.  You are the one I have sinned against. I say this so that people will know that I am wrong and you are right. What you decided is fair.

Psalm 51:3-4

Remove my sin and make me pure.  Wash me until I am whiter than snow! Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again. Let the bones you crushed be happy again. Don’t look at my sins.  Erase them all.

Psalm 51:7-9

God, create a pure heart in me, and make my spirit strong again. Don’t push me away or take your Holy Spirit from me. Your help made me so happy.  Give me that joy again. Make my spirit strong and ready to obey you.

Psalm 51:10-12

Further Encouraging Thoughts For Today

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