Intimately confronted by the majesty of God, we have but one response
By Dean Collins
The familiar picture in Isaiah 6 shows us the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, inspiring awe, reverence, and mystery. It’s hard to imagine the thoughts and feelings that Isaiah attempts to express in his encounter with the Almighty God. As Isaiah saw a God larger than we can imagine (the train of his robe filled the temple!), the seraphim called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
If we had been there, our response would have been the same. The overwhelming Presence was more than Isaiah could take in. The foundations shook at the angelic voices. Smoke filled the room.
Realizing sin
Isaiah realized his sinfulness was equal to that of his peers, his neighbors, the entire community. And so he expressed his inadequacy in the face of the all-knowing, perfect God. And isn’t that the lesson we all must learn? We can’t fix our sin problem. We can’t fix another’s sin problem. There is only one who can cleanse our lips and our hearts, and that is God himself.
God would use Isaiah as a prophet to tell of the promised Messiah and his new Kingdom. Isaiah would call his generation to repentance and be used centuries in the future to direct hearts and minds to God. But before he assumed his ministry, the seraphim touched his lips with a lump of burning coal and declared that his guilt was taken away and his sin atoned for.
Now he was ready. Now he knew he was no different than the rest but for one thing. In this moment he was made clean and whole. Now God could use him. Now Isaiah was ready to hear a question from God: “Whom shall I send, who will go for us?”
Answering God
Like Isaiah, we may be overwhelmed with God’s assignment for us. We will likely feel ill-equipped for the task. But once we have experienced the presence of God, the forgiveness of sin, the grace that engulfs us, something happens. We cannot, we must not resist. The love and mercy of God beckon, and our humble response is with the words Isaiah spoke.
Here I am! Send me.
Fully aware of our identity as a child of the King, we accept the mission he invites us to experience. And not only will it be the best thing for us. It will also bring blessing and hope and even transformation to another. And another and another. It won’t be because of our intelligence, our attractiveness, or our determination. The obedience and humility of our availability to be used multiply our impact. Grace and love pass through us to those God would have us touch.
I can recall a specific moment I knew God called me. It overwhelmed me as a teenager. At times over the years I resisted. And the encounter would come again. It wouldn’t be my education, my talents, or any physical attributes that qualified me for any particular assignment. It was my availability. It was the “Here I am, send me” moments that have come time and time again.
I suspect it’s the same for you. And when we are willing, God will use us as his instruments to bring life and hope to another.
Say it to the Lord after you have experienced him today. Here I am! Send me.
Your time with God’s Word
Isaiah 6:1-8 ESVPhoto by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash
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