On Wednesday nights our Bible Study group have been exploring the the amazing book of Isaiah (you’re all invited to join us in a few weeks time, however, this Wednesday we have rebelled and are watching the footie instead, and next Wednesday there is a Churches Together prayer event, details in this weekend’s newsletter). For the rest of this week, we’re going to reflect on a small handful of its abundant riches.
Isaiah 1:18
‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’
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.
I’ve just finished watching the TV drama ‘Time’ which traces the experiences of one man in prison for killing someone when drunk driving. It was gruelling viewing, and not everyone would appreciate it or find it comfortable. As well as being gritty TV, though, I found it to be a remarkable story of atonement as the lead character, haunted by visions of his victim, found a way forward through the gentle influence of the prison chaplain and other inmates. The book of Isaiah starts in a very similar vein. God’s People hang under his judgement for their deeds, but just as the chaplain helped the lead in ‘Time’ find atonement for their deeds, so God offers to help his people. Their sins might be scarlet, but he can make them white as snow.
None of us are perfect, we all live in ways that at times are glorious, but at times hurt and damage others. God’s offer still stands though, the offer of forgiveness, acceptance and freedom, all we need to do is turn to him and ask…
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