Messages of Snow
2. Forgiveness
Lord Jesus, think on me,
And purge away my sin;
From earth-born passions set me free,
And make me pure within.
Synesius of Cyrene c. 375-430
Reading: Psalm 51
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
No person has ever sinned against God more openly and obviously than King David. He had coveted another man's wife, committed adultery with her, arranged the death of her husband, and refused to admit his fault until confronted by Nathan, God's messenger.
Here David prays one of the great prayers of repentance in the Bible. He throws himself on God's mercy, knowing God's love is eternal. David recognizes that he is not different from other human beings, even though he is a king. All are sinners in need of forgiveness.
Sin stains our lives, leaving them dull and lifeless like a winter landscape. God's mercy and forgiveness cleanse us so that our hearts are restored to the purity of new-fallen snow.
Renewal and new life come, restoring the broken relationship with God. We receive a new heart, a new desire to serve God. Then we can go out and share our joy with others.
All of us, no matter what our sins, can come to God in penitence, and receive mercy and a new start in life. As Isaiah said, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow." (Isaiah 1:18).