Isaiah 44:22
I am blowing away your rebellious deeds like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to me, because I am redeeming you.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive us; when we like to hold on to our misdeeds. At times when we allow our sinful flesh to recall them back in the form of guilt—all the things that we have done and the ways we have hurt others—and grudges—the thoughts about what others have done to us. Our sinful nature really likes to grab hold of both of these. Even after forgiveness has been given, they want to hang out with us and eat away at our consciences. But through Isaiah, you remind us that we need to let go of our guilt and grudges because of your forgiveness. “You have blown them away like a cloud, and your sins like a mist.” Like watching a storm that has just come across the mountains, the clouds turn and churn while sending some rain. But then, as they are blown away, the brilliance of the snow remains covering those mountains. Like your Son’s righteousness has covered our sins. “Though your sins are like crimson, they shall be as white as snow.”
Lord, strengthen us to let go of all our guilt and grudges; so that we return to you, putting them all at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Give us your power as we hear your words that you are redeeming us—buying us back—from all our sins. The forgiveness and redemption was accomplished through your Son, Jesus. He took our sins to the cross and blew them as far as the east is from the west. Please fortify us so that we no longer try to grasp the cloud of our misdeeds and the mist of our sins; instead, we cling to Jesus, his cross, and his forgiveness. Amen.
Roger Emmons
Pastor
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
We cannot hold a cloud, and going through can be pretty turbulent; you have to put on your belt of truth, which keeps us grounded in Christ’s forgiveness.