On Wednesdays I pray for the world. Peace in areas of conflict. Wisdom, humility, and discernment for its leaders. Repentance and revival in the U.S.
Isaiah did the same for the Kingdom of Judah, whose people had turned their backs on Yahweh, choosing the ease of empty worship and blood sacrifices over walking in step with the one true God.
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. (Isaiah 1:18)
I love the invitation from the Almighty to come now and reason. He created us with an intellect and expects us to use it. When we spend as much time getting to know Him as we do scrolling TikTok or power shopping the clearance sales, we gain this precious insight: Following God's ways is reasonable, wise, and prudent; in fact, the very best way to live. When we draw close to our Father, we stop striving to construct our own gospels and yield to scriptural truth.
The truth that:
God knows better than we do.
His boundaries are for our good.
Obedience brings profound blessing.
In a world where our sinful nature is installed on parade floats and celebrated to the applause of adoring crowds, we're invited to hop off the crazy train and take our place at Jesus' feet.
We can stop pursuing what is popular and chase after what is good.
We can rest from figuring things out and trust what is written in scripture.
We can taste and see that the Lord is good by allowing Him to reign in our hearts and minds.
We can give joy a chance to flourish by truly surrendering to its giver.
Waving the white flag of submission takes courage, my friends. It's not so much a new year's resolution as a daily declaration: There's immeasurably more to this world than the empty promises its selling.
Repentance is...
Relinquishing our rebellious nature daily
Elevating truth with grace in every conversation
Pleasing God over the court of public opinion
Accepting rejection
Prioritizing time spent in prayer and Bible study
Trusting the Lion of Judah to strengthen us in our weakness
Repentance is as simple as a prayer: Lord, I'm a sinner. I know my selfishness gets in the way of a relationship with you. You died on the cross to restore our relationship. I give up my own will and accept you as the authority of my life. I'm going to mess up but my desire is to follow you every day. I trust you to guide me. Please cover me with Christ's righteousness like a blanket of new fallen snow. Thank you for loving me so much, Jesus!
If you're lucky enough to live in the north, like me, perhaps today you can gaze out your window at a snowfall that covers the earth like a wool blanket. The gauzy whiteness cloaks the decay of rotting leaves and dead grass and makes every branch sparkle.
In such a wonderland, it's not difficult to imagine the perfection of heaven that transforms our hearts and, yes, awaits us at the end of our earthly journeys.
There is no crimson stain that cannot not be blotted out and redeemed by your personal acceptance of Jesus' unfathomable mercy and grace.
Not...
your pride
your short-temperedness
Your greed
your parenting failures
your drug dependency
your critical spirit
your sexuality
Your dishonesty
Your gossip
your idolatry
your self-righteousness
your porn addiction
your denial of God
your slander
your unfaithfulness to your spouse
your gender confusion
your jealousy
your hatred
your selfishness
And mine
Isaiah's admonition to the people of Judah in the 700's BC calls out to us in 2025.
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.
Imagine your shame--your regret--crushed under the weight of Christ's sacrifice.
Imagine yourself, wrapped in a robe of glistening porcelain.
Imagine starting each day afresh, rejecting the world's hollow offerings for Christ's abiding hope.
Imagine you. New.
Until next time.
Your Courage Cheerleader,
Sarah 📣
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