by leaps and bounds

   “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

            Let me preface this devotional by admitting, “I do not like winter.” The older I get the colder I get. Besides, I am not eager to drive on snowy roads anymore. However, if we look, we can clearly see our Heavenly Father’s fingerprints in all of nature.

            This morning we have fresh, white snow on our lawn. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Nature declares: Nature says something about God! That being the case – what does the snow say?

            The snow says, “No matter how bad your sins seem to be, God can wipe them away and make you clean.” Think about it – sins made as white as snow. No matter who we are, forgiveness is here for the asking. Jesus Himself said, “…he that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” The pure white of the snow points to absolute cleansing and removal of all sin.

            The snow also says, “There is a fresh start for anyone who would like to have a great finish.” After all, we all had a miserable start. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

            Aren’t you glad the story doesn’t end there? We can start over forgiven with a better life here and a heavenly future when this life is over. II Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Yes, we can have a miserable start, but a great finish.

            So, even if you dislike winter and cannot stand the cold, there is something to remember. The snow declares God’s forgiveness. The snow says……. 

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.