Those of you who’ve been overwhelmed by snow this year likely won’t understand the southern population of the United States fascination with snow. It’s lovely as it falls and coats the landscape with a beautiful blanket that disguises all faults. Sometimes I believe there’s nothing as white as snow, but then…

If I lived in upstate New York, Michigan, or other states doused with cold, snow, and ice this year, I might tire of the white stuff. But my childhood delight in snow remains a strong as ever.

Fresh snow reminds me of purity. The pristine blanket of white covers dirt and stains on the earth. On the countryside, all looks pure and white. But within, I feel the stain of sin, and I’m reminded of the plea of the Psalmist. “Cleanse me!”

Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:7-10 NIV)

White as snow, but then…

Scripture describes David as a man after the LORD’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), but we later discover a different side of this hero of the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel we read of David’s first glimpse of Bathsheba.

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbath. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful. (2 Samuel 11:1-2)

Thus began David’s descent into sin. Not only did he send one of his commanders to do the king’s work, in his boredom, David began an affair with another man’s wife.

David plunged into a web of lust and lies. In his attempt to cover his sin, David first tried to trick, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, but when that failed, he arranged for Uriah’s death.

The stain of sin spread with ugliness, power, destruction throughout the lives of David and Bathsheba.

The prophet Nathan rebuked David. After reminding David of the multitude of blessings God had bestowed on him, Nathan confronted the king with his actions and David admitted his sin.

Even though David took Bathsheba as his wife, God punished them with the loss of their first child. Turmoil and strife plagued his family for the remainder of David’s life.

When the beauty becomes stained

Knowing David’s history of faithfulness to God, we might assume he possessed immunity to temptation and sin. But his downfall reinforces the fact that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).

Just as mud and stains invade the pristine whiteness of snow, sin advances into our lives whenever we drop our guard. Only our Father can shield us from the onslaught of sin. Only the love, mercy, and grace of our Savior can grant forgiveness.

David confessed his sins as should we when we sink into the miry pit. Our sins may not be of adultery or murder, but anything that separates us from our Savior’s goodness is sin.

When I:

• Speak sharply to a loved one.
• Am impatient with a friend or colleague.
• Use the excuse of “sharing news” to repeat a story that should have been kept confidential.
• Criticize or judge someone for not performing according to my standards.
• Am jealous of someone else’s accomplishments and recognition.

Whenever I’m behaving in a way that does not honor my commitment to serve my Lord–I am sinning.

Reconnecting with our Lord

After separating from our Father because of some action on our part, how do we reconnect? We can’t do it with help. I can confess my sins, pray for forgiveness, and beg for cleansing, but only our loving Father can do the task of restoration.

We can–pray, immerse ourselves in His word, seek a friend, join a faithful fellowship of believers, and meditate of Christ’s gift of love. Pray again, and often, as we seek protection from temptation and forgiveness from sin.

What strategies do you employ to strengthen your daily walk with Christ? What actions help you resist temptation?

“Come now, let us settle this,” 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)

When we cry out out to God, He listens. He loves us so much He sent us a Savior. Only through the sacrifice of Jesus can our sins be washed away; by His blood, we are made clean.

Whiter than snow

Through our Savior’s cleansing, we are whiter than snow–and there are no “buts” about that!

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)

May God bless you, my friends.