River Mist

Isaiah 44:22 – I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. (NIV)

Where I live in western Pennsylvania, rivers and streams flow down through the plateaus and foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. In the early morning hours as I drive down into the low hanging cloud bank along the Allegheny River Road, the dense fog obscures vision. I must put on my fog lights and drive more slowly. There is always the danger of missing a curve in the road or of a deer jumping into the way. At times like this, I proceed with my heart in my throat.

Later in the morning as I come from church, I get into my car to make the return trip. Looking up, I notice the warming rays of the sun scattering the mist before my eyes. When I reach the River Road, there is nothing but high puffy clouds playing tag among the hills. The river surface dances with flecks of light, filling my spirit with rejoicing.

When we sin, a miserable fog settles upon our hearts like the thick river mist, blocking out the Son. Sometimes it is so dense, we feel our souls fill with a dank dread. We can barely see the light to find our way.

God knows we can scarcely see the road before us, much less find "The Way" from our sinful fog. Therefore, God in Christ Jesus frees us. While we were still fog-bound, Jesus went to Calvary to nail our trespasses to that bloody, awful tree. Through Jesus' sacrifice, God penetrates that foggy darkness with His Sonshine to light our way back. He draws us to Himself through that loving light. As we repent, we are forgiven.

God's forgiving grace is like the sun scattering the mist before its penetrating light. God declares that we are forgiven. He sweeps away our offences, like the sun dispelling the low-lying clouds. He wipes away our sins through Jesus Christ, like the disappearing mist.

Like flecks of light dancing across the river, God's forgiving grace cheers our hearts. Therefore, rejoice! In Jesus, we are forgiven!

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for Jesus, who took from us the depths of our sin. Let the light of Your love penetrate the sinful, foggy darkness in our souls to draw us to Yourself. May we return to You with heartfelt grief over our sinful rebellion. Grace us with the Holy Spirit, and strengthen us to live always according to Your holy Word, for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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