“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18
A “glimmer” is defined as “a faint flicker, to shine faintly or unsteadily, a twinkle, or a shimmer,” and that’s exactly where Judah found themselves because of their rebellion and sin. The light of God’s glory was almost out over a people who had completely turned their backs on Him. Although their “religious practices” continued, their hearts were far from him and you can hear the weariness as God spoke through the Prophet Isiah. He was warning His people of the terror and judgement that would come at the hands of their enemies if they didn’t turn back to him, and the picture that Isaiah painted was one of pure doom and horror.
Yet, out of nowhere and seemingly misplaced, God through the prophet, offers a glimmer of hope. In fact, it seems so out of place in the context of surrounding scripture that this glimmer stands out like a beam from a lighthouse. This “glimmer” is found in Isaiah 1:18 and says;
“Come now, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool.
It’s easy to read Isaiah and even judge God’s people ourselves, but the truth is we are all just as guilty of having turned our backs on the Lord as they were and had it not been for the Lord’s mercy we would all have faced His judgement and wrath. But, thank God that this “glimmer” of hope found in Isaiah became the Light of Glory to us all through Jesus. Paul writes in Titus 3:4-7;
But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
Today, be ever reminded and grateful that God’s glimmer became glory and will remain so for us throughout eternity.