In the Presence of God

We are often awed by the presence of greatness (Regan’s speach and Pointe Du Hoc).

However, the presence of Almighty God is greater. It strikes fear in even the most upright man, and bring conviction of sin.

What is needed today is for God’s people to once more be filled with the presence of the Holy God!

The Condition of the Nation

It was a time of political change and turmoil. - King Uzziah had just died. He was a good king, but His son would rule over a time of apathy and his grandson (Ahaz) would turn people away from worshiping the Lord.

It was a time of prosperity, but forgetting the word of God - Isa 5:8-10

It was a time of pursing pleasure while ignoring the work of God (5:11-12).

It was a time of perversity and mocking the counsel of God (5:18-20).

It was a time of pride and the impending judgement of God (5:21-25)

The Conviction of God’s Presence

When Isaiah saw the Lord he was moved with fear and conviction.

The angels themselves covered their face and feet while proclaiming the holiness of God.

Throughout Scripture when man encounters the glory of God he is moved to bow or cover himself. Moses in seeing God’s glory bowed with his face to the ground (Exodus 34:8). Elijah in hearing God’s voice at Mount Horeb covered his face (1 Kings 19:13).

When Solomon dedicated the Temple God’s glory filled it and all the people bowed in worship 2 Chronicles 7:1–3 “As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.””

John, when he saw the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation fell at his feet.

The Confession of a Sinner

Isaiah’s confession - I am a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.

When you see the glory of God you understand the wickedness of your own heart and life.

Confession and repentance are vital for God to work in your life. Luke 5:8–10 “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken...And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.””

1 John 1:8–9 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Cleansing of Salvation

God did not wink at Isaiah’s sin. He didn’t excuse his unclean lips. Rather he cleansed him!

The coal from the altar indicated that a sacrifice had to be made for atonement. But with that sacrifice, the iniquity of our heart is removed and our sin is covered!

Hebrews 9:14 NKJV

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

God does not excuse our sin, he has provided for the removal of our sin and the cleansing to stand before him.

The Commission of God’s Messenger

Having been cleansed God then calls Isaiah to join His mission - the salvation of a remnant.

The parallel of “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” is the commission to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Have encountered the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ? Have you seen your great need for salvation and confessed your need of His cleaning? Have you joined God in his mission?