I wrote this article back in early February – before Atlanta had gotten any snow. Last Sunday, Barry said in talking with Amy that she had talked about the theology of snow covering everything. I knew I wanted to resurrect this article and send it in… hope you enjoy it.
The other week I was up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I love Chattanooga. That’s where I went to college and earned my first degree. That’s where I met my wife Piper. That’s where I have some really good memories. And I got to add one more…
While we were there, the weather turned cold and wet and… SNOW. Big fat flakes began falling. I got to stand and watch everything get covered in snow. Cars were covered – you couldn’t tell what kind of cars were parked, only a big “lump” of snow. The parking lots were covered – they became flat white fields.
Regardless of what was outside, it all became the same – white. Covered. It was spectacular and beautiful. The oily spots in the parking lot were covered with white snow and became beautiful. The garbage cans were covered with snow and looked great. The scraggly bushes down the street were transformed into beautiful sculptures – mounds of white fluffy snow.
Grace covers our sin. Psalm 85:2 says, “You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.” Psalm 31:1-2 says, “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” {Paul later quotes this in Romans 4:6-8} Elsewhere God says, “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
Everything ugly in my life was covered at the Cross. My scraggly works become heaps of His mercy. The oily spots of my sins are covered over with a layer of His grace. The Place where my iniquity was parked has become a dazzling field of His forgiveness.
Jesus came to forgive sins. Not just to cover them over, but to remove them. At His “last supper” Jesus said, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)
Listen to some of these promises:
• But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
• Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
• “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12
I don’t know how you’re feeling about yourself today, but let me tell you – you’re beautiful. In Christ you’re a giant mound of His grace and mercy. You’re forgiven. You’re so valuable that God did that for you!
Do you have someone in your life that’s feeling down – at the end of their rope – getting beat down by the world? Maybe share with them the wonders of God’s snow, His grace that covers everything.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
With the love of Christ,
Pastor Bill
