Touched By Fire
Background Story: Isaiah was a prophet of God. Prophets were people in the Old Testament who sought God on behalf of the people and proclaimed God’s will to the people.
Read Isaiah 6:1-8
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Big Idea: God’s presence compels us towards repentence and purpose.
In this passage we see Isaiah literally have a glimpse of the throne of God. What was Isaiah’s response to the presence of God?
1) Repentance and Surrender: Isaiah said, “I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (v. 5)
When we enter God’s presence in worship, we see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness and perfection. It calls us to repentance and draws us to our knees. This place of surrender before God is the posture of worship. While we don’t have to physically go to our knees when we worship, our hearts bow in surrender to His Lordship.
2) Cleansing and Closeness: Isaiah said, “He touched my lips with it and said, ‘See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Our admission of sin does not result in God pulling away from us. On the contrary, as our hearts bow in surrender, we sense a drawing near and closeness with God. This place of surrender is where we hear His voice most clearly, away from the distractions and noise.
3) A Calling: Isaiah said, “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us? I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
The love, forgiveness, and presence of God propels us towards purpose. Out of gratitude for who He is and for what He has done, our heart’s desire become to bring Him glory. 1 John 4:19 says “We love because He first loved us.” The love and forgiveness we receive from God becomes a fuel to share His love with others.
God’s presence changes everything! You may enter His presence weighted down by the worries of life, but you leave changed and challenged to live a life of calling.
Takeaway Verse:
Song for Today:
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Dig Deeper: Hebrews 4:13-16, Psalm 32, James 4:6-10, Deuteronomy 10:14-21, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Philippians 2:1-2, 1 John 1:5-10, 1 John 3:1-3
Similar Devotions: Consuming Fire, Into the Light, Time to Scrub the Cup, Undivided Heart, A Different Love, Never Forget, Stale Air, More Than Religion, Oh My Soul, Who I Am, A Witness
Devotions4Teens Video: Salvation in Jesus, Becoming More Like Jesus, Thirsting For God, Sharing Your Faith, The Gospel- 3 Minute Presentation, I Want to See, Sneaky Sin, Where is God in my Trials and Pain?
