Isaiah 6:9 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
There stood Isaiah, before the throne of the living God, who in His majesty and power displayed His glory. Shining in brilliant light, eyes like fire, hair like wool, the train of His robe filled the temple. A sea of glass rippled before Isaiah, angelic beings flew about and exalted the ancient of days.
To stand before the great I Am as a sinner and live is a rare feat. Had it not been for the burning coal, Isaiah would have been left speechless and in shame. Throughout history all who have encountered the living God has experienced an awe that overwhelms them. There are no other god’s, there is no other Creator, there is no power that can stand before the Lord of hosts and not be humbled.
The world mocks and blasphemes the name of the Lord, satan deceives and lies that he might steal away God’s praise. Behind the idols lies the deceiver, and behind the statues and false incense within the ornate temples of pagan gods dwells the heart of darkness. Hatred fills the enemies halls, deceit runs rampant, lust fills the chambers and deception oozes forth like a putrid stench.
Mankind is in rebellion against God’s holiness. Pride dominates the countenance of all who think they can exalt themselves over Yahweh, and yet the Lord has made a way for people to draw near.
The Call
The holiness of God demands purity. To dwell in the presence of God is to be in unity with Him. Sin cannot exist before Him, it is an affront to His position as ruler of Heaven and Earth.
Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23), why would the Lord call sinners to Himself?
The answer is displayed throughout the Word of God…His love.
When Isaiah was brought before God, it was in preparation for a message that was to go forth, not of repentance but of judgement.
Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
The Lord had called Israel to repentance for years and in their stubbornness the call was ignored. Listen to their indictment….
Isaiah 2:6-1-11 For you have rejected your people,
the house of Jacob,
because they are full of things from the east
and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,
and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.
7Their land is filled with silver and gold,
and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses,
and there is no end to their chariots.
8Their land is filled with idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their own fingers have made.
9So man is humbled,
and each one is brought low—
do not forgive them!
10Enter into the rock
and hide in the dust
from before the terror of the LORD,
and from the splendor of his majesty.
11The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
The people had compromised in every aspect of life. From polluting themselves with pagan practices, hedonism, idolatry, pride, there seemed to be no end to the ways they provoked the living God to wrath. The call to repentance had ended, the call for judgement was about to be fulfilled.
Undoubtedly Isaiah loved his country and countrymen, the prospect of judgement upon his land must have been heartbreaking. But Isaiah’s obedience to God took precedence over nationalism, and in the midst of God’s throne, the judgement would have seemed valid.
For every watchman, there is a word. For every call, there is an expectation of obedience. When the warning is pronounced, it can either be taken seriously or ignored. Preparation favors the wise, while the fool sleeps as if there will be no recompense.
God’s Answer
After all the bad news, after the call for Isaiah to deliver God’s judgement against a hard hearted people, the Lord follows it up with a promise.
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
What the people could not bear on their own, the Lord chose to carry Himself. Is there a greater form of mercy and grace? No, there is nothing that compares to the love of God. Instead of casting off His people forever, He chooses to abide with them, to walk with them in the dust and carry their burdens. Immanuel….God with us. There is not a false religion in history that can lay claim to God’s awesome deeds.
The Lord provides a way for sinners to come before Him in purity. Jesus died that we might live, Jesus carried the burden of sin to the cross for all who would believe.
Today, the hope of salvation remains. The call to repentance is backed by the blood of the Lamb. To be given the honor of speaking the Word of God to others is not to be taken lightly.
Obedience to the Call
The Lord uses all kinds of means to call people to Himself. It can be circumstances that seem far too improbable or seemingly random connections with others that confirms a message. A tug of the heart, a confirming word in the Bible, a song, or a gentle whisper in the ear….the Lord does not withhold His Word from His beloved.
When we hear the call, it is up to us to respond.
The response of Isaiah was voluntary, and filled with hope…”Here I am, send me.”
Has the Lord placed a calling on your life? If you are a believer, you can guarantee He has called you somewhere, to someone. The Christian life is not relegated to living for oneself but rather as representative of their Savior. We must get our houses in order, humble ourselves and pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways.
Psalm 3:3-4 “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
This is when healing begins. This is when you sense the lifting of your soul and joy returns in strength. You start looking beyond yourself and begin to see others in light of God’s love for them. You yearn for their healing and salvation and become compelled to tell them.
This is your calling.
Seek righteousness, walk in purity, honor the King….then tell others about Him.
There is no greater life than this.
U.T. 