DEVOTION – DAY 203

Isaiah 1:18 “Spiritually Cleansing”

 

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though there are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

 

As we begin a new year, many of us may look back on last year and wish we had done some things differently. There may be projects left unfinished or were behind schedule because we had procrastinated. There may have been disappointments and failures because people or events had failed us in one way or another. There were things we wished we had not done, or words that we had not said. But with the arrival of a new year, we have an opportunity to try to do better and learn from our past mistakes so that we have a chance to do better this year. So, we generally look at the new year with some optimism because it promises a fresh start.

 

In the same way, this verse offers us the same sense of hope. The prophet Isaiah tells us the Lord is gracious and merciful to us. When we are willing and obedient to God, as mentioned in Isaiah 1:19, God is faithful. He is forgiving and He will give us a fresh start. Vs.18 offers contrasts: sins that are like scarlet, and the color red as crimson compared to the color white as exemplified by snow and wool. On the one hand, the color red is like the blood stained on the hands of murderers. On the other hand, we have the color white which reminds us that God can forgive and cleanse the worst sinners and make them whole and pure again. All that is required is a willingness on our part to confess our sins, repent and be willing to start again to obey Him.

 

A woman was devastated when she discovered that her husband was cheating on her and was having an affair. Her husband admitted his unfaithfulness to her and asked for her forgiveness. Her initial reaction was to demand for a divorce because she felt betrayed and that she could never trust him again. Later when she had time to think, she realized that God hates divorce and she also had to consider the impact of the divorce on their children. She prayed for the Lord to give her His peace and strength and in the end, she chose to forgive her husband for the sake of their children and to remain as a family. On his part, the husband did everything possible to show that he was genuinely repentant and that he would not betray her trust in him again. He knew he was given a chance to redeem himself and he was determined to have a fresh start.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you, for you are merciful and gracious. Thank you for forgiving us when we confess and repent before you. As we begin the new year, please help us to live a life of obedience to honor you. In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What were your failures and disappointments in your Christian life in the past year?
  2. What changes will you make with the benefit of hindsight so that you can have a fresh start in the new year to walk more closely with God?
  3. How has God been gracious to you in the past despite your failures? Share.
  4. How can you thank God in the light of all that He has done for you? Share.