Advent Devotional: Day 3

December 3rd, 2024
by Campus Bible Church

Isaiah 1:18 - “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’” Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.’”

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet “A” to identify herself as an adulteress. Bearing the constant reminder of her transgression emblazoned on her chest, a gray shadow falls across her and her entire countenance changes. Her beauty and warmth fades. After seven years, she tries to remove the scarlet letter from her own dress but is unable to.

In Isaiah 1:18, sin is represented by the bright red color of scarlet. It pictures the deep penetrating stain of sin permeating the fabric of our fallen nature. Every fiber is drenched with corruption. Like Hester, we live under the gray shadow of guilt and no matter how hard we try, we cannot remove our scarlet letter. It’s in that helpless condition that God beckons to us. My guilt would urge me to run, but the Lord calls me to come and “come now.” Why would I delay? Sin only prolongs my guilt and misery, but the Lord is able to wash it all away.

Prayer: Father, we desire to meet You personally; to know You and to live with Your presence as a part of our daily routine. For our part we commit to making ourselves ready so that You may come in your perfect timing. In the Name of Jesus, who is coming. Amen.

For Reflection & Discussion:
Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal anything that is keeping you from being close to him. What do you need to ask forgiveness for?

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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Posted in Advent Devotionals
Posted in Advent Devotionals