Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow

1 Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow, — Yer. lb.

EPHE prayer to be washed, which we have already had in ver. 2, is once more repeated, but this time with an explanation of much importance added to it. He says to the Lord, what he believes, the wonderful power of that washing shall be: ‘Wash me, and shall he whiter than snow? The prayer for grace and forgiveness is found in very many, but they do not know what the answer is which they ought to expect. They do not believe that the prayer will be so gloriously heard, and that we shall be able to draw near to God with the blessed certitude of being whiter than snow.

In order to understand this prayer thoroughly, it must first of all be observed that this word, ‘Whiter than snow,’ does not have reference to the inward renewal and purifying of the heart. David does not say that when he is washed he will then be perfect and commit sin no more. One who has been washed clean may always again fall into the mire and become

9S soiled. Grace gives an inward purity; only it does not come at once and in perfect form, but gradually and step by step. Of this David speaks later on when lie prays for a clean heart. But what he here speaks of is that entire freedom from guilt which every one receives with, the forgiveness of sins. When God forgives sins, He forgives at once and perfectly; and at that moment when God forgives sins the soul is in His eyes and according to His holy law without a spot, and entirely clean. As the Lord Jesus said to Peter: ‘He that is washed is clean every whit ‘; yea, ’ whiter than snow.’

‘Wash me, and I shall he whiter than snow? Would that every one of us might make this whole prayer with all earnestness his own. The arguments that should urge you to this step are great and strong. Nothing less than this can keep you. You may perhaps think that this prayer of David is too high. ‘So much I dare not ask for or expect, I shall be content with less.’ My friend, with less you are not satisfied; with everything that is less you will be lost. We have said before that the law of God stands at the gate of heaven and guards the entrance to it. It lets no one within who is not ’ whiter than snow? That is the holiness of God and the perfection of the angels, and anything that is less clean and less holy is not admitted into heaven. If there is one single stain in you the law will reject you. God will cast you out. The angels will cast you out. All heaven will cast you out, In the great day of judgment and of wrath, when the justice of God shall flash out against everything on which the least stain of sin is, to consume it in the flame of fire — Oh, then, nothing shall stand before a holy God that is not 6 whiter than snow.’

But hear further: ’ nothing less is offered to you? If you had to take in hand the purifying of yourselves to this extent you might well despair. God Himself says: 6 For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me.’ But instead of this, all that is necessary for your salvation God Himself has prepared. When God forgives, He forgives perfectly. ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. The washing of the soul is God’s work, an act of God’s holy and all-prevailing grace. He is in a position to make it 6 whiter than snow.’ It is the blood of Jesus in which we are washed. The power of divine holiness, which is to be found in that precious atoning blood, has the power to make whiter than snow. In other words, the guiltannulling atonement of Jesus Christ is perfect; His righteousness is perfect; His merit is infinite. If His righteousness be imputed to me, I obtain it perfect and entire. If I have part in the Lord Jesus, my Surety, then I have Him wholly and altogether. Christ is not divided. I am in Him, in which case I have His full righteousness, or I am not in Him, and have no part in it. When Jesus bore the curse with us, it was not imputed to Him and laid upon Him according to the measure of His merit and worthiness, but according to ours. Now that we are endowed with grace along with Jesus before God, His righteousness is bestowed upon us, not according to the measure of our merit, but according to that of Jesus. It was an act of the divine righteousness that Jesus came in our nature, and to take upon Himself our full curse. It is in like manner an act of the righteousness of God that we come to Him in Jesus to appropriate to ourselves the complete righteousness of Jesus. Jesus is treated as identified with us, and, on this ground, as one upon whom the curse must rest. He who believes is one with Jesus, is treated as such, is accepted in Him, is ’ whiter than snow.’ God sees us in Christ. Our sins are entirely and completely forgiven; we are altogether acceptable to Him. He fulfills to us the word: c Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ Therefore let every one pray: ‘Wash me, and I shall he whiter than snow? It is nothing less than this that God has offered to us.

Nothing less than this can bring you full peace. Alas! how many are there who are seeking a ground of peace with God in their own activity, and endeavors, and experiences. But they cannot find stable, full peace, the peace which Jesus gives, and passeth all understanding. Only when we can utter by faith that word: ‘I shall be clean,” I shall be whiter than snow,’ do we know what is meant by saying: ‘Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is cov-HAVE MERCY UPOX ME.

ered ‘; and what is meant by singing:; Bless the Lord, O iny soul, who forgive th all thine iniquities.’ Then a disquieted conscience obtains peace, full peace even in view of God and of sin, in view of the law and the curse, in view of death and of judgment: because the blood of Jesus makes 6 whiter than snow.5 The soul rejoices with a joy that is unspeakable, and full of glory.

Beloved reader, nothing less than this mast he your desire. What I ask you to do is to lay aside your own prayers and your own thoughts about that which God is to do for you, and to learn to pray as the Holy Spirit taught David: fi AYash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’ Take these words into your lips; lay them up in your heart; utter them continually before God in prayer; make them a continual aspiration. You shall obtain a richer blessing than your prayers have perhaps brought you for years. These words will be to you a preparation for the gladness of that song of redemption which may be already sung here upon earth: ‘Unto Him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by His blood; and made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen/

Beloved reader, let your faith now really receive this blessing. In Christ this grace is offered to you. Believe that through Him this goodness is prepared for you. Believe in Him, and you shall not only ask with confidence, but firmly believe God is doing it: He washes me, and I am whiter than snow. Oh, draw near to Him, and take the blessing out of His hand.