The LORD is Salvation.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:6-8
Verse 8 reminds me of the hymn we often sing in worship, “Here I am, Lord.” I don’t know about you, but this one of those calling songs that touches me profoundly. The hymn opens with God’s reminder that He is sovereign, and then reminds us that He hears the pleas of His people. His promise of salvation is sure but as we live this side of heaven, He is asking whom it is that He can count on to deliver His touch in response to the pleas of this world.
In context, this chapter of Isaiah deals with the vision the prophet had regarding consequences coming for the people of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, because of their rebellion against God and forgetting His sovereignty. The people had begun to take credit for their prosperity, forgetting the Source of all their blessing.
Isaiah encountered the Lord, caught a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, was brought to confession and experienced God’s forgiveness in such a magnificent way. When God asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us,” without hesitation, Isaiah said, “Here I am Lord, send me!”
Anyway, did you know that Isaiah’s name is translated, The LORD is salvation? Isaiah not only prophesied the fall and captivity of Judah, but also the rescue and restoration of God’s people in the future. The remarkable response of Isaiah was in knowing that there would be this terrible fall and captivity experience, yet he was willing, without full knowledge of the plan, to step up, in great faith, to assure this nation that a brighter future was possible. Isaiah came to understand something that we often fail to understand and that is that God’s ways are not our ways. Accepting that fact allowed Isaiah to be a faithful prophet who delivered a very hard message.
Jesus commanded us to love God and each other, and to “go.” Life within the love of Christ will have many “Here I am” moments. By seeking God in His Word and in prayer through Christ, we can respond in faith to the mission and purpose He has written into our lives. So, today’s question is the same for us. Are you willing, like Isaiah, to trust Him without full knowledge of His plan, and to respond “Lord, here I am, send me?”
Father, praise and glory and honor belong only to You, and we thank You for our Savior, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Counselor. Thank You for Your Word, and for giving us examples of faithful servants like Isaiah to learn from. It’s so amazing that imperfect people can still answer Your call to service. So, prepare our hearts and give us the strength and courage to respond, “Here I am,” as we follow Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen .