A Speck of Dirt

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

“No two snowflakes are alike,” the adage claims. But is it true?

Researchers know enough to confirm the saying is likely true for fully developed flakes. The processes that give snowflakes their uniqueness are poorly understood, yet fascinating to consider.

Every snowflake begins when a tiny dust particle comes into contact with water vapor high in Earth’s atmosphere. The water vapor coats the tiny particle and freezes into a tiny crystal of ice. This becomes the “seed” from which a brilliant one-of-a-kind snowflake grows as it descends to Earth through drastic temperature changes and humidity levels.

A complete snowflake is unlike any other, but each starts with a speck of dirt at its core.

Physically, no two humans are alike, but at the center of our nature, we have unclean hearts. We all fall short of God’s perfect standard and are in desperate need of cleansing.

The psalmist, David, cries out to God for mercy and cleansing after he admits his most serious transgressions. David knew his sins couldn’t be cleansed by ceremonial cleansing. He needed God to remove his guilt and restore him. Only then would he be made whiter than snow.

Hyssop was a plant or herb used by the Hebrews in their sacred purifications and sprinklings. To be purged and purified by sprinkled water with a hyssop branch represents the blood of Christ applied internally by faith. The blood of Christ is called the sprinkled blood (Hebrews 12:24). Jesus’ blood, then, cleanses once for all, and removes the guilt (Hebrews 10:2).

Unlike a snowflake that quickly melts and leaves nothing but the original particle of dust, our innermost being can be completely cleansed by trusting the “sprinkling” of Jesus’ blood and made new for eternity!

Snow is beautiful, but I want to be whiter than snow! Do you?

Lord Jesus, even a speck of sin in my heart relationally separates me from You. Thank You for Your complete cleansing and forgiveness.

Karen Sims