“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of host. The whole earth is full of His glory” ” Isaiah 6:1-3
What a crucial time this was for Isaiah to receive a vision of the Lord. For 52 years Israel had been “safe” because King Uzziah had been a successful military leader. Now he was dead and Israel didn’t feel so safe. By showing Himself in a vision to Isaiah, He was showing him who was really on the throne. How beautiful, how kind are Gods’ ways towards His people.
What really got me about this scripturge though- was the description of the Angels; with their wings…they covered themselves. Even they- angels- cover themselves in the presence of the almighty.
And I (Isaiah) 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!”
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.”
Both the Angels and then the prophet Isaiah understand who God is, it’s only then they see with right eyes who they are. Unworthy to be in the presence of a Holy God.
It’s then that our sins are atoned for though. When we have clear understanding of the identity of God and our own.
And after that…comes service to the Lord. We serve when understand who God is. He is our reason.
“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.” And he said, “Go”
Isaiah was eager and ready to serve; to go, once He received that vivid picture of God. I don’t know about you but the more I learn of God, the more I want to learn more of Him. I too am eager, like Isaiah for the Lord to use me. Because when my eyes are fixed on Him, and the truth of who He is and who I am not, my heart is prepared with readiness to advance the gospel.
This morning while I read Rend Collective’s song ‘Boldly I Approach the Throne’ played. The first words echoed the intensity of being in God’s presence, as even Angels cover themselves in reverence for His holiness.” “By grace alone I stand where even angels fear to tread. Invited by redeeming love, before the throne of God above. He pulls me close, with nail scarred hands into His everlasting arms”
What a precious gift it is to dwell in the presence of the living God.
Father I pray today that you renew a right reverence for you within my heart. May I come in worship, humbled by the reality of my need of your saving grace.
