The Pilgrim Path---Isaiah 6: 1—8

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted; and 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 hosts;

The whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and 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.”

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.”

UNCONDITIONAL SERVICE

This Sunday School Series by Rev. Ian Hamilton (Calvinism & The Christian Life), is soul-stirring. The focus yesterday was on the temple vision from Isaiah chapter six. The Prophet Isaiah was never the same---after encountering the Living God. This was a pre-incarnate dealing with the Christ (John 12: 41). A coal from the “altar” touches Isaiah’s mouth---blood and fire belong to the altar. His mouth is cleansed---and he is “called” ---all in one grand occurrence.

“Who will go for us?” That is the great question of the Godhead?

There is, from Isaiah---no hesitation. The astounding response of grace wrought surrender!

“Here I am! Send me.”

Isaiah did not need:

---a schedule of future “special” events

---a discussion about the possibility of career advancement

---a complete work calendar

---a 5 year / 10-year plan

---a list of his Benefit Package details

---a full job description

---a quick “assurance” of miracles to come

---a guarantee about hearers (and believers)

---a note of what moving help would be provided

---a choice of “options” for ministry

---a word concerning retirement

---a human resources appointment

---a promise of profit-sharing

---a needed indication of “his” input for upcoming decisions

---a look at counseling availability

---a hope of a sabbatical

---a briefing on “exit strategy”

---a host of helpers

Amazingly, Isaiah simply offered unconditional service to the King of Kings and LORD of LORD’S. It is apparent that God was enough…

“Let not the Lord’s dealings seem harsh, rough, or unfatherly, because it is unpleasant. When the Lord’s blessed will bloweth cross your desires, it is best in humility to strike sail to him and to be willing to be laid any way our Lord pleaseth: it is a point of denial to yourself, to be as if ye had not a will, but had made a free disposition of it to God, and had sold it over to him; and to make use of his will for your own is both true holiness, and your ease and peace.” Samuel Rutherford

If you cannot cross the ocean, and the heathen lands explore,

You can find the heathen nearer, you can help them at your door.

If you cannot give your thousands, you can give the widow’s mite;

And the least you give for Jesus will be precious in his sight.

Daniel March, 1868

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason