For school, our memory verse last week was "Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean, Wash me and I will be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7)
In keeping with my (unintentional) laundry theme this week, the psalmist is speaking in terms we homemakers can relate to, oh so well. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. I relish laundry that is sparkling white. Bleach, bluing, detergents, all are attempts to regain whiteness in fabrics. Stains happen so easily... a blueberry drops off the pancake and lands in my husband's lap, spaghetti sauce drips from my sons lips to his shirt, mommy leans into the car to strap the boys into their carseats and oh no, dirt works its way across her jeans. On and on the staining continues. At the end of the day, the laundry pile is full of filthy clothes. Hardly any of these stains are "intentional". Many are so difficult to deal with, they leave residues that are next to impossible to remove.
This points me to my spiritual "stains". When I look at the ten commandments or the "greatest commandments" given by Jesus (Matt. 22:37, 39), I see myself falling short. Sadly, I fail God every day. Sometimes it is more than I can bear, when I evaluate my day and consider my actions. However, I am amazed and consoled by the psalmist's plea in this verse. I relate to his request to be washed. My husband is preaching on Romans 3 on sunday, and there too we are reminded of our need for cleansing, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(v.23) Our situation is so desperate before the holy and pure God.
Then Jesus steps into the picture and offers His blood. 1 John 1:7 says, "...the blood of Jesus cleanses (washes) us from all sin." Did you catch that? ALL sin. This matches completely with the psalm. We will be whiter than snow. That is cleaner than clean. Not a spot. Not a residue. Not a trace. All because of Jesus Christ.
What a picture. This made me rejoice anew when I awoke to a beautiful snowfall this morning. As I walked to the shed, the sparkling snow seemed so white. Is it really possible that I am whiter than that? It truly is a miracle that Christ's blood washes me that clean. Thank you God for the whole plan. It's amazing. It's humbling. It's beautiful!
6 comments:
What lovely thoughts this morning, Marlene. It is so good to be reminded that we are washed in His blood and clothed in HIS righteousness--pure as nothing else is pure. Apart from that merciful grace, who could stand?
Thank you Marlene. You always put a different perspective on things for me. I always knew that we were cleansed of ALL sins, but you put a picture in my mind of just how amazing that truly is. Seeing the snow cover the ground the other morning really is beautiful...and BRIGHT!! It's amazing that we can be as bright and shiny, new looking like that!
Marlene,
Thank you for preaching the good news of the gospel! Glory to God! Thank you Jesus!
Is that a picture from your area? It is very lovely...
Marlene, I am so glad you started a blog. I have benefitted so much from reading how you apply wisdom to all aspects of your life. It is a blessing to be able to get a glimpse into the life of an “excellent wife.”
Much Love in Christ,
No. I scooped this one off the net. But our place is indeed this beautiful. It is truly a daily reminder of God's imagination, glory and splendor. I'm so glad we worship the true God. He's truly amazing!
Isn't it amazing to think that when the Lord made this earth and everything on it, He could have made it utilitarian, maybe just black and white. It would have all that we needed in the way of food, shelter and the like, but it would have been void of beauty. I have thought about this when I'm in that particularly "utilitarian" mode and it draws me back to enjoying the beauty of the Lord...Who He Is..and He made us to "need" beauty. Glory to God!
Post a Comment