One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah's vision of God on his throne in Isaiah 6. It has come to mind a lot lately, what with how God has been stripping needless things away from my life.
The passage starts out "In the year King Uzziah died". King Uzziah was a good king who did right in the eyes of the Lord (mostly). You can read about him in 2 Chronicles 26, and here is a Bible lesson that gives a lot of information on him. During his reign the nation of Judah knew prosperity and influence in the known world. Everyone would have looked to him for stability and peace. His people trusted in him, and counted on him. They enjoyed life in his kingdom. Then he dies. What now? How could things have gone so wrong? Why did he suffer such a death as this (by leprosy)?
This is where Isaiah was as he entered the temple that day. His hope may have been more in King Uzziah then the Lord. Then his vision! He saw the Lord seated on His throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe FILLED the temple. What a sight to behold! The earthly king that Isaiah and the people of Judah counted on was no longer there. But there was/is a King that reigns eternally that we CAN put our hope in. He will not die, he does not sleep (Psalm 121:3-4). In His presence we recognize our unworthiness, but as soon as that happens he uplifts us with his grace (Isaiah 6:5-7).
This got me to thinking in light of what God is calling me to give up to/for him. Isaiah and the people of Judah needed to have their security taken away before they could see their need of the great "I AM". When Isaiah saw Him, he realized what state he truly was in, and where his hope should be placed! This encounter changed his life! From that point on his focus was not an earthly king, but the Heavenly King that was before time, and creator of the universe!
I fear our view of God is to small, as Isaiah's may have been before this vision. We do not often see him on the Throne. We have marginalized him. Made him comfortable and likable. God brought to mind this week how if we really saw God as Isaiah did , as Ezekiel did in Chapter 1 , and as John did in Revelations Chapter 4, how would our worship of him be different? How would our lives be different? Then he asked me this question:
What needs to die, so that you will see that I am enough?
2 comments:
Wow ... something to consider!
Thanks for your comment on the blog post - it's sad that there are some many wounded servants out there - I'm thrilled that your friend found healing within your church - what a blessing for all of you - thanks friend!
I've been reminded several times in the last few weeks that we make God small in many ways. I found the beginning part of this post interesting. As many times as I've read this passage, I've never taken into consideration why the part about King Uzziah's death was included. It add a whole different aspect to it. Thanks!
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