Another piece, slightly edited, from Glad Tidings, “a series of daily meditations for Christian disciples”.
Isaiah 1:18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If the judgments of God are a great deep, not less so are His mercies. The sinner may presume on the one hand, or despair on the other; but here is mercy made sure to the chief of sinners. Here is glory to God, and yet joy to those who have rebelled against Him. Is conscience felt to be polluted? Is it like scarlet and like crimson, and is the sinner ready, like Job, to say, “Though I wash myself with snow water, and make myself never so clean, yet mine own clothes will abhor me”?
Even then the Holy One comes with the assurance that He will wash us, so that we shall be whiter than the snow. O my soul, you know none so guilty as yourself, none so polluted and vile, for you know none who have sinned against light, against privilege, against compassions, like yourself. Flee then to the much-needed fountain. There is safety, for there is purity, only there. And rejoice that the way is open, that the invitation is free. It is addressed to those whose sins are “as scarlet” or “red like crimson”, and God is glorified when His mercy is welcomed. Welcome it then and live for evermore.
But do not forget the divine alternative: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” While all are welcome in the appointed way, yet “no man cometh to the Father but by” the Son, and O how soothing to the soul to walk in that path! It is “the way of peace”. “The very God of peace” is the guide; “the covenant of peace” is the guarantee – a covenant as unchanging as the everlasting hills, while “the Prince of Peace” gladdens and sustains. Such honour have all His saints. My soul, in the sight of the heart-searching eye, is that honour yours?
But as God designed His people to be happy, far more is said of this peace; it is presented to us in the Word in many attractive forms. It is called “great peace”; it is described as “perfect peace”; it is spoken of as Christ’s peace; nay, as the very “peace of God”. Should a loyal subject of the Prince of Peace be still downcast and dejected?