Isaiah Sees
When we look at the state of the world today, it’s hard not to focus on how hectic and chaotic it’s become, particularly in light of recent events in the States.In many ways, depravity has become the accepted norm in every sphere of society. We’ve become desensitized to it by the narrative we’ve been fed across media, entertainment, and dare I say it, even the church.
The prophet Isaiah had much the same issue in his time, albeit without the vantage point technology has provided in the modern day. Leaders were corrupt, including those of the religious sect, and they were leading the people further and further away from God’s heart, protection, and blessing.
Amidst the judgments Isaiah pronounced upon the people, nations, and leaders, his seventh “woe” was upon himself. In the presence of God’s glory and the angels surrounding His throne, Isaiah cried out,
“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because 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!” (Is. 6:5, NKJV)
I love that Isaiah was willing to take an honest assessment of himself – his words, actions, motives, and thoughts, as illuminated by God’s light shining within him. He took ownership and responsibility for the ways he recognized he’d fallen short, missed God’s mark, and sinned. While the specifics differed from what he’d called out in others, he recognized there was no difference in what was foundational – sin is sin, and none is greater or less than another.
God had an immediate response and solution in the face of Isaiah’s repentance. An angel took a coal from the altar of God and cleansed Isaiah’s lips, taking away his iniquity and purging his sin (Is. 6:6).
There’s no mention of God listing Isaiah’s sins to him or belittling him for any mistakes he’d made. God’s only response was to provide a way to remove Isaiah’s sin, cleanse him, and then offer an opportunity for Isaiah to partner with God in reaching out to His people.
God’s call to repentance is never to condemn and leave the people He deeply loves in a state of “woe is me” and self-deprecation, feeling like we can never measure up or become “good” or “right” in his sight.
God has always provided a way for us to be forgiven, ultimately sending His Son to become our Redeemer and Savior. He has always initiated the way to oneness of heart with Him and pointed us in a forward direction toward our kingdom callings and destinies. His plan has always been partnership with us in having dominion on the earth and ruling and reigning alongside Him.
What I found really interesting was reading The Passion Translation’s note on Isaiah 6:3 because it opened my eyes to see what’s so prevalent in the world today, and my participation in it.“Isaiah saw the sinfulness of man; the seraphim saw the glory of God. Isaiah had to see what the angels see. Every true voice for God must have the revelation of glory filling the earth. Without this vision, we are only seeing part of the truth. What fills the earth is His glory, not our sinfulness. This is occurring now, not just in the future.”
It’s so easy to get caught up in only seeing the sinfulness present in the world today. It’s easy to condemn, cast judgment, and take up “holy” causes intent on pointing out sin.
We lack a revelation of God’s glory filling the earth and His glory being so much bigger than the sin we allow to fill our vision and shape our perspective. It doesn’t mean we turn a blind eye to what’s happening, but instead, we recognize the larger truth present on the earth today.
It also means we turn our hearts toward God and allow Him to shine His light within us. When we respond by taking the path of personal repentance, allowing nothing to separate us from Him, what follows is an offer into divine partnership as we answer His call that quickly follows.
Repentance is always a path forward, never a roadblock.
Isaiah was challenged to not just see himself in the light of truth but to also have his perspective of the world around him shifted to what the angels (and God) saw.
Like Isaiah, will we see as they see and will we say, “I will be the one. Send me.” (Is. 6:8, TPT) in answer to God’s call to His people?
Living for Him with Love Always,
Andrea
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
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