“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” – Isaiah 6:1
When I mention, God, what do you think of?
Do you think of Jesus on the cross, a shepherd caring for his sheep, a king on his throne, or maybe a giant grey-bearded man in the clouds?
Our passage from Isaiah 6 describes what Isaiah saw when God called him to be a prophet. There are many ways we think of God; Father, friend, savior, teacher, shepherd… All of these are good and true descriptions and many of these titles and descriptions bring us comfort as well as helping us to understand God more fully.
However, it is good to also remember that He is the God of all creation, He made us just by speaking. He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Almighty, and most holy. He is beyond our comprehension. He is greater and holier than we can imagine.
Fear and Trembling
When Isaiah saw the Lord seated on His throne, his immediate reaction was fear and an overwhelming recognition of his sin.
“And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” – Isaiah 6:5
As we begin to contemplate the glory, might, and holiness of God, we cannot help but begin to sense the depths of our sin. There is no hiding it. And it is absolutely terrifying.
How wonderful, though, is it to continue reading about Isaiah to see God’s response to Isaiah’s terror over his sin:
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” – Isaiah 6:6-7
Heavenly Father,
Were I to enter into Your presence I could not stand. My sin is too great. I am lost. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus, and His bitter suffering and death, please forgive me and cleanse me of my sin.
Amen.
Upon your confession, know that you, too, have the same declaration as Isaiah by the blood of Jesus. These words are for YOU through Christ Jesus:
Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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