So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because 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.” - Isaiah 6:5 The prophet Isaiah became speechless, totally enthralled and transformed by what he saw. He saw the Lord sitting on a high and exalted throne with the train of His robe filling the temple. He saw seraphim standing beside the Lord, crying “Holy, holy, holy.” The temple was filled with smoke and the doorframes shook. God’s presence was extremely strong, and Isaiah was shaken to the core. What he saw penetrated his being and became a permanent part of him. With this vision, his image of himself changed. God’s holiness caused the sin in his life to become blatantly apparent. God’s holy presence caused the standard to be raised in every area of Isaiah’s life. What seemed okay before was now inappropriate. What was convenient before now appeared careless and sluggish. What was of general interest before now became worldliness. What previously received general acceptance was now unacceptable. “Woe is me, for I am undone!” Isaiah was desperate over his spiritual situation even though he was the Lord’s anointed prophet. He discovered carelessness and sin in his own speech, “I am a man of unclean lips,” and he realized his own speech has been no better than that of the rest of the people: “I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” Unless his lips were cleaned, he would be unable to continue serving God and speaking His word. An angel appeared and placed a coal from the altar on his lips, purifying his speech. Then Isaiah was able to speak God’s Word. The same is true for us; our standard is significantly lower than the Lord’s standard. But when the Lord works in us, we are lifted up, high above where we otherwise would soar. Prayer Thank You, God, that Your standard is so much higher than mine. May the coal from Your fire remove all the impurities from my life and my speech. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 13:30:30 +0000
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