06-Sep-2024 – Your sacrifice, prayer and trust in the LORD opens ways.
Isaiah 6:7 (KJV): And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
This chapter is well-known and often meditated upon to remember the glorious worship that the heavenly Father receives from the angelic host around Him. In the verse we referred to, Isaiah is standing in the presence of God. When he witnesses the worship and glory of God, he feels deeply humbled, recognizing his sinfulness and shortcomings in being in God’s presence.
However, if we study the passage carefully, we see that Isaiah did not come into God’s presence by himself; it was God who gave him this vision. This means that God wanted to convey something to Isaiah and allowed him to be in His presence. Yet, Isaiah immediately realizes that he is unworthy of being there.
Let’s pause here. If God wanted Isaiah to accomplish something and to learn about his commission in God’s presence, but Isaiah felt unworthy, then God’s purpose for him could have been blocked. Why? Because Isaiah’s recognition of his sinful nature, illuminated by the presence of God, could have hindered him from fulfilling God’s plan.
Now, consider this practically in our own lives. God has plans for each of us. We were created to be testimonies to His glory. When God assigns us a task for the salvation of others, if we deem ourselves unworthy, then who will do the work? What is the solution?
Isaiah 6:6-7 (KJV): Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
If we read Revelation, we gain further understanding of the altar in the presence of God in heaven.
Revelation 6:9 (KJV): And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
The altar represents sacrifices, offered to the LORD God. Here, we see lives sacrificed in defense of God’s word.
Revelation 8:3 (KJV): And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
In this verse, we see that prayers are offered to the LORD God as incense. The prayers of all saints are taken and mixed with the incense, and the smoke of the incense reaches the presence of God. These prayers are considered precious, like worshipful incense.
Finally, when the burning coal from the altar is taken and touches Isaiah’s lips, his lips are made holy. Isaiah’s issue was unclean lips, which is why the burning coal touched them. The burning coal represents the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. In our practical lives, when we put our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, it equates to the touch of the burning coal from the altar. Once we are made holy, the way is opened for us to carry out God’s assignments.
Isaiah 6:8 (KJV): Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Initially, when Isaiah witnessed the glory of God, instead of worshipping Him, he focused on his own shortcomings and felt humiliated. But once the burning coal touched his lips, his response changed. He was now ready to accept God’s assignment.
Similarly, when we look to Jesus as our only source of righteousness and not rely on our own accomplishments, we are empowered to take on any task for the LORD. As we saw at the altar, the sacrifice represents a willingness to trust the LORD. The incense of prayers represents the attitude of waiting on the LORD in prayer for everything. And the burning coal represents the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ. All of these together enable us to work for the LORD.
Prayer:
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for teaching us today about the importance of a sacrificial life, a prayerful life, and trusting in the LORD and His finished work on the cross. Help us to practice this in our lives and be a testimony for Your glory. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!
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