Lent 2: Whiter than snow

The snow wakes me before 4am. It's almost March, but we get another dusting of snow during the night. No wonder if was so cold on the waterfront of Seattle yesterday. The wind cut through my trousers below the sweep of my Austrian wool coat. Our university's international guests - especially those who work in the tropics - were shivering along with the vendors at Pike Place Market.

When I see the intense whiteness of freshly fallen snow, I'm reminded of God's promise to ransom us from human failure and clean the dirty smear sin leaves on our souls. A Savior would come to wash us from every stain.

I pull the drapes closed to cut out the light reflecting off the snow outside. But inside I'm praying, keep me wide open to your merciful provision. I'd love to be whiter than snow.

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God's peace to you today!
*Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 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. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51: 1-13, 17 NIV

*For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 NIV