Isaiah was a great prophet. His messages brought comfort to the few among God’s people who were true believers. He constantly reminded them of the “covenant of grace.” At the same time, he brought a message of severe warning to those who refused to listen to the doctrine of life. When the Lord called His rebellious people to “reason together,” He did not call them to debate, but rather to agree with His verdict. He wanted them to acknowledge that their actions had not been in accordance with reason.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” ~ Isaiah 1:18
All sin is unreasonable. The people’s sin is described as scarlet in contrast to the stark whiteness of snow and crimson as opposed to the whiteness of wool. When yarns were dyed crimson in biblical times, the process required two baths or double-dying. When Christ forgave my sin I was very conscious that grace invited not a dialogue but a reasonable confession of the “double-dyed” mess I had made of my life. God wanted me to agree with His verdict and submit to His decision concerning my sin. I felt like a small ship whose wool had been dyed crimson by wrongdoing, and I was pretty red-faced about it all.
What joy to enter the “covenant of grace” and experience the whiteness of the soul that coming to God brings! Have you come to the point of accepting God’s verdict of your life, or are you still arguing your case?
In Christ,
Jill Briscoe
Rejoice! These devotions on Easter help us remember the price Jesus paid for our sin, and to celebrate the promise of hope we have in Him. But do you find yourself facing a stone or a barrier, like the one in front of Jesus’ tomb? Maybe it’s a hostile teenager, a struggling marriage, a difficult decision, or a stubborn habit you can’t break. Perhaps you don’t have the strength to move it or are afraid of what’s behind it. Take heart! God can move any stone—or show you a way around it; even your unbelief!
During this holy time, let’s reflect on who God is and His amazing grace. That no grave could keep Him; that He rose for our sakes—to walk with us, to watch over us, and to wipe away our tears. Hallelujah, what a Savior!