Day 197
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| Isaiah's Dramatic Encounter! |
Scripture
Observation
After delivering his call to repentance, Isaiah describes his call to ministry—a dramatic encounter with God during a time of national lament. Caught up in a vision of God's presence, Isaiah's "My doom is sealed" ("I am sinful") is met by God's "Now you are pronounced 'Not guilty," resulting in the prophet's "Lord, I'll go! Send me" ("I am available") and God's "Go" ("I want to use you"). Cleansed of his iniquity, Isaiah enters eagerly into the unenviable task of declaring God's judgment upon a people plagued with fat hearts and heavy ears.
Application
"You haven't heard a word I said!" How often has that ringing indictment been true of you? It's hard to communicate when the other party has "tuned out." On the other hand, there are times in life when you will find others particularly receptive to what you have to say. The birth of a child or the beginning of an "empty nest" and the gaining of a spouse or the loss of a loved one—these mark special moments of teachability.
So it's not surprising that in "the year King Uzziah died" Isaiah "saw the Lord sitting on a lofty throne" (6:1). Grief has a way of tenderizing even a prophet's heart, making it warm and receptive to the leading of the Lord! Worship and bereavement often go hand-in-hand.
Chances are good that you or a member of your close circle of family or friends will go through a crisis this week. You can view it as a calamity, or as an opportunity for God to speak in clear, unmistakable ways—through his Word, through a sermon, through a godly counselor. But it all depends on whether you have ears to hear. Read 6:8 several times until you, like Isaiah, can hear the voice of the Lord and respond wholeheartedly, "Lord, I'll go! Send me."
So it's not surprising that in "the year King Uzziah died" Isaiah "saw the Lord sitting on a lofty throne" (6:1). Grief has a way of tenderizing even a prophet's heart, making it warm and receptive to the leading of the Lord! Worship and bereavement often go hand-in-hand.
Chances are good that you or a member of your close circle of family or friends will go through a crisis this week. You can view it as a calamity, or as an opportunity for God to speak in clear, unmistakable ways—through his Word, through a sermon, through a godly counselor. But it all depends on whether you have ears to hear. Read 6:8 several times until you, like Isaiah, can hear the voice of the Lord and respond wholeheartedly, "Lord, I'll go! Send me."
Prayer
Yes, Lord if you need to use somebody use us! We want to always be available for you to use to advance your kingdom. Help us to listen to and obey your Word in our daily walk through this earthly journey letting all those we encounter know that you are the only one on the throne waiting for all to repent and acknowledge you as Lord so that they too can receive everlasting salvation. Thank you for your saving grace and for loving us so much! In Jesus name, Amen!
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| Use Us Lord! |
© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020
