It was in the year King Uzziah died. A time of national mourning and fear. He had been a good king for most of his reign and Judah enjoyed peace and prosperity. But in his latter years, pride led him into sin and God judged him. To the east, Assyria was growing strong and rumblings there were a source of great concern. Now, a leadership transition was inevitable.

That’s the moment God revealed Himself. Isaiah saw the living Lord “sitting on a throne high and exalted” (Isaiah 6:1 NASB). The king was dead. The earthly turnover rate is 100%.  Everyone dies. Kingdoms rise and fall, but the King reigns from everlasting to everlasting. In transcendent majesty and beauty, He sits in complete sovereignty over all. Seraphim (“burning ones”) around the throne declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3 ESV). Incomparable perfection beyond words. Glorious. Awesome. Overwhelming.

Isaiah saw the Lord and then himself: a sinful man in the presence of the Holy One.  “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5 NASB). Isaiah heard the thunderous voice of angels, but God heard the faint cry of a humble sinner. In great mercy, God moved quickly to forgive and cleanse as He withdrew from the altar of sacrifice (Isaiah 6:6-7).

Then God asked a very unique question before the heavenly host: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8 NASB). The angels were created to execute the Lord’s every command, but God was seeking a willing heart from among the redeemed. Have no doubt, God will sovereignly send, but first He wanted to know who was willing.

Having been made clean, Isaiah was transformed into an honorable vessel prepared for the Master’s use. No longer “ruined,” he expressed his burning desire to be used by God, “Here am I. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8 NASB).

Today’s news reports aren’t much different than in the year King Uzziah died.  Fear, rumblings in the east, a leadership transition. Bad news seems to dominate the headlines, but we have good news! However, many of us are so busy pursuing the American Dream, we have lost sight of God’s Dream: “that My house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). We need to walk in Isaiah’s sandals and…

See a fresh vision of God as the holy, eternal, sovereign, majestic, glorious Lord Almighty. Worship through verses like these: Psalm 90:2, 103:19: 93:1-2; 47:8, Isaiah 46:10, 40:25, Habakkuk 2:20.

Humble yourself before His throne of grace. Experience the cleansing made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus. Ask Him to make you “a vessel of honor” (2Timothy 2:21).

Hear His call. Specific, personal, purposeful.

Present yourself as a “living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Ready, willing, available. “Here am I, send me!

Go!”  Your mission field is all around you. Go into the streets. Go into the main highways. Go into the city. Go into all the world! “And as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast” (Matthew 22:9)!

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB).

© 2012 Tim McKenzie – www.OnEveryWord.com