Isaiah 6: I see the Lord! part 2

Death of a king:
In Isaiah 6 we have the bad news that the King has just died. This would have been similar to hearing that President Kennedy died back in 1963 or how people felt when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center. Then all of a sudden Isaiah sees God as King, sitting on a throne in heaven. What a contrast. The prophet is communicating that no matter how bad things might appear here on earth, God is still on the throne and can meet our every need. A king is gone but God is still King; one might have lost a father, but God is our Father; maybe there is a loss of a child; God is a son; or a loss of a spouse; God is our intimate friend.

Loss of our Friend:
My mom and dad were married for fifty five years! Several months ago the Lord took my dad home. He was the best dad a son could ever have had. He was also the best husband i have ever seen. My mom and dad were inseperable. Now, nine months later, i still see the great loss in my mom's eyes...in her heart. She will never be the same. But i also see a new branch growing in her life. She is in the Word daily. She calls me to tell me about new truths about God that she had never known before. It would appear that this is her time, without her intimate friend here on earth, to learn to rely on God; for Him to be her all in all. I find it interesting that generally speaking it is the man who dies first. It would appear that the remainder of the woman's life is now to be focused on her relationship with the Lord. Sometimes, a good relationship on earth can hinder a healthy relationship in heaven, or maybe in God's divine order, it is just postponed.

Filled with Glory
Note the prophet's first words after he sees God: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is filled with His glory." When we are so earthly minded we often miss the riches of heaven that surrounds us.

Filled with Evil
In chapters 1-5 the whole earth is filled with evil, where good appears evil and evil appears good. The knowledge of God is not present and when presented, people despise it. In contrast, Isaiah is told that the whole earth if filled with God's glory and he is able to see it. Blessed are those who are pure of heart, for they shall see God, and Isaiah saw Him!

"Uh Oh, I'm Dead!"
Not only does Isaiah see God sitting on His throne, but he also hears His voice, and feels a deep sense of guilt. Isaiah says, "Woe is me, for I am lost; for i am a man of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"

The phrase, "I am lost," carries the idea of having the wind knocked out of you, or the idea of saying, "uh oh, I'm dead!" Three things happen when we see God (and yes i know that no man can see God and live, so this may carry the idea of experiencing God's presence, though i believe Isaiah really saw God):
1. We have healthy view of our sinful heart
2. We are acutely aware of the needs of others around us
3. We desire to do whatever it takes to serve Him

Note Isaiah's second part of his response after seeing God: "Woe is me; 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."

A Burning Sensation!
Do you see? Isaiah in the midst of an evil culture, has maintained a pure heart and as a result he is able to see the needs of his own heart as well as the needs of those around him; his eyes have been opened and in humility and desperation he receives divine forgiveness and purification.

"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."

Heightened Awareness
In contrast to the cultural darkness and absence of the knowledge of God, Isaiah's senses are in full force. He hears, sees, and feels the presence of God—eyes, ears, and lips—there is a heightened awareness of the presence of God because Isaiah has been faithful in staying connected with the Word of the Lord. And with this heightened awareness he is also willing to serve. "Here am I! Send me." That is just so beautiful.

Send Me!
Today, no matter where you find yourself, be willing to have God send you wherever He will…cry out with the innocence of a child and say to God, "Here am I! Send me." As we find ourselves in uncertain times, or perhaps with the loss of a job, or a broken family, God desires to use us and He will, if we are willing and restored by His divine healing. But be warned…do not serve until you have first felt the burning coals upon your lips, the guilt removed, and the sin atoned for.

Well enough for now…i thought i would be able to get to the best part but this will have to wait till tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to walk through Word with me…your comments are always appreciated.
Mark (if you would like read an insightful teatise on Isaiah 6 and heightened senses, i would recommend reading Dr. William Long's essays at http://www.drbilllong.com/Lectionary/Is6.html ) exceptional!