Isaiah 6–Reading with Aridhi

Have you ever felt that you were walking with God, even in a deep place…and God was calling you deeper, and you didn’t want to go.  You saw your own inadequacy, judgment, lack…and you couldn’t give any more, do any more, be any more?

Isaiah was there.

We read in Isaiah 1-5 the tough visions and words he felt God gave him for the people.  He said what needed to be said.  He felt what needed to be felt. 

He was as faithful as he knew to be…yet, he knew it was still lacking in light of the perfection of God. 

He didn’t think He could go to a deeper place with God, imperfect as he still was.

I look at Isaiah and think…wow, if he felt unworthy to go before God, what hope is there for folks like you and me, self absorbed (okay, maybe just like me, I’m sure none of you are with me). 

Called to Fish, (Aridhi), what were your thoughts?  

As I wrote before, something about knowing God’s heart toward the people and culture as a whole made me also a little hesitant to want to encounter God in the fullness of His glory in Isaiah 6 as well.  A hesitancy.  It took me two days to bite the bullet, but I needed relief, so I read.  And, that’s where we run into Isaiah, in the same state of mind. 

Yet, God responded to Isaih, his faithful servant, in the same way He does with us when He invites us into His presence. –He sent comfort and cleansing.  An angel took a coal and touched His lips (where he felt he had probably failed God most in faithfulness).  You know, the funny thing here is, God saw so much deeper than Isaiah’s “lips”anyway.  God could have  consumed Him totally in efforts to cleanse Him, yet he only dealt with the area of his insecurity and doubt.  

After He dealt with Isaiah’s doubt, He IMMEDIATELY called Him to even deeper levels of service.  “Whom shall go for us, whom shall we send?” 

We hear the formerly afraid, doubting Isaiah , “Here am I, send me.” 

Comfort.

Cleansing.

Call.

Commitment. 

Commission.

Just a few short paragraphs, one conversation, and BAM!  Isaiah is in a totally different stot than where he started. THAT’S the way God works, over and over…how little dialogue and activity it takes for God to totally overwhelm us with his love and acceptance!  Enough to take us beyond our fears, doubts, insecurities, and perceived weaknesses to even deeper things with Him.  How does he do that? 

Wow.  So profoundly written in contrast to the God of anger in the preceding five chapters.  This is a God who is in touch with the humble heart, the one seeking, the one after Him.

Tomorrow, Isaiah 7.  Reading anything?  If not…join us?  If what you are reading, studying, or what God is teaching you goes along with the reviews, feel free to chime in!