THERE ARE CERTAIN MOMENTS in life that you can never forget: A teacher who taught you in the elementary school; a book that gave you a different perspective on life; an experience that changed your trajectory.
Some of these events come once in a lifetime. They leave you in permanent wakes, and you call them extraordinary moments.
The Narrative
AT THE AGE OF 16, Uzziah ascended the throne of Israel. He was initially great until he became arrogant.
One day, he went into the temple to burn incense, which is a priest’s duty. And when the priests confronted him, he got angry.
As Uzziah lunged at them, God struck him with leprosy. He eventually died a lonely man. (2 Chronicles 26:1-22)
God is Holy
THE SAME YEAR that Uzziah passed, Isaiah saw the Lord. His throne was high and lifted up; his train filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Above God were seraphim with six wings. With two wings, they covered their faces; with two wings, they covered their feet and with two wings, they flew.
It was a delightful sight; it was a defining moment.
They called unto one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
God’s holiness is unique and rare. It sets him apart from everything sinful—there is no trace of any evil in Him.
He is, above all things, and holiness is God’s very being.
God knows all things
AS THE SERAPHIM spoke, the doorposts shook to their foundations, and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah realized that God saw through him. He felt naked before God.
God’s holiness exposes the depravity of man—nothing is hidden before Him; everything lays bare before His eyes. (Hebrews 4:13)
Isaiah waved his white flag—he acknowledged his wrongs and confessed.
God cannot use you until you own your wrong and confess them.
You cannot please God without a good sense of right and wrong—to walk with Him; you’ll know when you’re in error.
God will not use you, until you own your wrong
God is gracious
ONE OF THE SERAPHIM flew towards him with a live coal taken with tongs from the altar.
He touched Isaiah’s mouth with it and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Isaiah was broken, vulnerable and exposed. But, God extended his grace to him—God brought him to the table.
God has a message for you
ISAIAH WAS YET to take all these in when he heard God say, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
Isaiah knew that God appointed him. He understood that as a result of the encounter, God had made him adequate for the job.
And he said, “Here I am. Send me.”
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
HE CAME TO A QUIET PLACE, but it wasn’t for long. Isaiah's encounter became a treasure that found a place in his heart, and he stepped forward to go deeper with God.
It isn’t enough to sit on the pew and grow fat. God wants you to grow deeper with Him. He’s looking for workers.
Will you heed His call?