SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

Jesus, Jehovah, Immanuel.

Abundant joy rich to tell.

There is a love that fills my heart,

like snow in the deepest part.

El, Creator, Merciful, Love.

Blessed assurance from above.

There is a peace from Heaven’s crown,

like snow gently falling down.

Savior, Messiah, Adonai.

Blood outpoured to sanctify.

There is a grace from only Him,

like snow coating every limb.

Unspeakable Gift, Redeemer, King.

Sing the song the ransomed sing!

There is a life made wholly right,

like snow turning woodlands white.

Spirit, Counselor, Author, Friend.

Kingdom wonders never end.

There is a seal forever clean,

like snow on the evergreen.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power

to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

SNOW ON THE EVERGREEN

In the woods, here in Veery Glade, snow comes straight down and gently coats an evergreen. As I continue to think about this year's word, which is repent, I am drawn to the words sackcloth and ashes. I remember reading and learning about this but let us take a closer look, my fellow forest dweller.

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

Jonah 1:1-2

Jonah had been sent to Nineveh to proclaim that God was going to destroy them for their wickedness and we know Jonah went running the other way. But his three days in the belly of a great fish caused Jonah to change his mind and do what God told him to do in the first place. The Nineveh people might not have believed that God was about to destroy them due to their wayward ways but they did believe. They expressed repentance and humility by wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes, which signified desolation and ruin. Their outward sign demonstrated change within their heart and a desire to do right. God saw the genuine change in the people's hearts.

So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.

Jonah 3:5-6

Expression of repentance from true repentance made God change His mind and not destroy Nineveh. Mourning from real heartfelt sorrow at wrongs committed moved Almighty God. Covered faces with hands of true remorse before Creator God for sinful life impacted His decision to be merciful.

Here, the psalmist declares his happiness in the morning after spending time in the night weeping:

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

The psalmist gives praise to the One who removed the sackcloth and clothed him with joy. That would be God! Forgiveness in response to genuine repentance lifts the heart and restores the soul. Today, any time is the time to confess before the Lord, to turn from wicked ways, to resolve to change, obey and honor God. His work through His Son, Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins, has been done. Know His work. Trust His work. Let His work help you.

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

Acts 2:38-39

Belief in prayer can bring about change. Prayer can avail much. Pray believing. Praying while not believing is useless.

To receive the promise, the gift of the Holy Spirit, like snow of the evergreen, repent.