“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
White Dress
Often after praying this prayer verse I’ve had a picture in my head of a little girl wearing a white linen dress before her father, hair done perfectly and having a bright and shining face. The father encourages the girl to go out and play, but she doesn’t want to go out and risk getting her dress dirty or ruined. She would rather stay safe and protected than spend time with her friends. But finally she gives in to her father’s encouragement and goes out.
Of course she comes back in within a short time crying because her white dress is now muddy and torn, her knees are skinned up, and hair is a mess. After more tears, explanation, and confession, her father fixes her messed up hair, cleans her dirty knees, and washes her face; then he doesn’t merely wash her dirty dress, but replaces it with a brand new white linen dress—with ruffles this time. He holds her, kisses her, and gives more instruction on how to stay clean—and off she goes.
Yes, this is my life. My heavenly Father cleans me up when I get dirty and I confess my sin, desiring not to do it, and He sends me out with instruction from His Word daily in a beautiful white dress to be His representative and encouragement to a dirty and hurting world that needs His cleansing and forgiveness.
It’s the story of each of our lives. Our heavenly Father so loves us and wants to dress us in His righteousness because Jesus provided a way and restored our relationship with the Father. We experience more of His love when we give it away; He fills our joy continuously even when we hurt or get dirty.
And one day our glorious Bridegroom is returning for His bride! Our dresses will be unimaginably glorious in sparkling spender, yet we won’t even notice because our eyes will be so fixed and taken with our Glorious King Jesus. “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses” (Revelation 19:14).
I know this may seem silly, but it does us good to dream of how our Father sees us, and the day our King will return. Our heavenly Father loves us very much and He loves this world that needs His salvation and cleansing.
“Dear Father, we pray as David did: ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness… Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ (Psalm 51:7, 8, 10.) Thank You, Lord, that You hear and You are so faithful. Please equip us for the day You have planned in whatever and wherever You have called us. In Jesus’ Name.”