Make my scarlet sin, white as snow.

 Make My Scarlet Sin White as Snow

A Reflection on 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."

This is the promise, the hope, the beautiful.

“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.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Scarlet—the stain of blood, the mark of guilt so deep,

The evidence of promises I could not keep.

Red like the crimson tide that flows from wound and war,

A color that accuses from the depths of my own core.

But You, O Lord, invite me—not to judgment, but to grace.

You do not say, "Go clean yourself," then turn away Your face.

You say, "Come now, let us reason. Let us talk this through."

And in the conversation, You make all things new.

White as snow—not faded, not a lighter shade of gray,

But pure, untouched, as brilliant as the dawn of day.

No hint of scarlet lingering, no shadow of the stain,

Forgiven, cleansed, remembered nevermore again.

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)

How can this be? Not by my scrubbing, not by my remorse,

But by the crimson fountain that flows from Your own course.

The scarlet of my sin meets the scarlet of Your blood,

And in that holy meeting, the stain is gone for good.

So I receive Your pardon, not as a license to ignore,

But as a gift that calls me to go and sin no more.

Make my scarlet sin white as snow, O Lord, I pray.

Create in me a clean heart, and start again today.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Scarlet becomes snow. Crimson becomes wool.

This is the miracle. This is the full

Expression of Your mercy, Your justice, and Your grace—

I come to You, my Savior. Wash me. I seek Your face.

Amen.