Overcome by Glory!
Scripture reading for July 18th: Isaiah 5-8
In the presence of the Lord there is an awesome awareness of God’s holiness and of our sinfulness. It is always by God’s initiative that He reveals Himself to a man or woman. We can’t command a visitation although we can ask humbly. Job asked to have an audience with His maker and found himself unable to answer and repented in dust and ashes for words he had said. (Job 42:2-6) Isaiah had a visitation and saw the Lord in the year that King Uzziah died. (about 740 B.C.)
Isaiah beheld the Lord on a throne and his robe filled the temple. Above and around Him were heavenly beings called seraphs, or “burning ones”. They had six wings and were calling to each other “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) When they spoke, their voices shook the doorposts and thresholds of the temple and smoke filled the house. It was the glory of God Almighty!
Isaiah himself began to cry out in terror of judgment in the presence of this Holy One! He immediately knew his sin would bring judgment and death. He also understood the people among whom he lived were in danger of judgment! Seeing God’s great white throne would spell disaster! (Revelation 20:11-14) God heard his confession. He sent one of the seraph’s with a burning coal from the altar. The seraph took the coal and applied it to the prophet’s mouth and his sin was taken away.
After cleansing, Isaiah heard the Lord asking a question. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for me?” Isaiah quickly responded with “Here am I, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) God told Isaiah that He was sending him to a people whose hearts were calloused and ears were dull. (Isaiah 6:9-10) Jesus quoted these verses as he spoke to the religious people of His day. (Matthew 13:13-15)
In summary, the encounter Isaiah had with the Lord brought revelation of God’s glory. This led to recognition of his sinfulness and confession. Repentance brought cleansing. After cleansing he heard God’s call and willingly obeyed! This is a pattern for all disciples of Jesus Christ!
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