Wholly Holy: Isaiah’s Vision
Isaiah 6:1-8
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Spiritual Life Officer
USA Southern Territory
“I can Only Imagine” is a popular song by the Christian group Mercy Me. The refrain asks,
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine.
The prophet Isaiah could answer those questions since he was taken into the very presence of God as recorded in our Scripture portion. He staggered to relate what he had seen. For those of us who read it secondhand it is even more difficult to imagine.
Isaiah started with a stark statement: “I saw the Lord” (vs. 1). In contrast to the nations that surrounded Israel who claimed there were many gods, Isaiah testified that in his visit to heaven that he saw the one true God alone in His place, unequalled and unparalleled. This is where we must start – with a vision of God. The clutter must be swept away, the busyness of the moment set aside so that God Himself fills our vision.
Isaiah also noticed those attending Him. Although he gives only sketchy information about the heavenly beings that were flying around heaven, he did manage to record the lyrics of their great song of praise. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is full of His glory!” (vs. 3). The song does not speak of God’s nature, else we would be lost in wonder. It does not speak of His goodness that might lead to our indulgence. The song does not herald His eternal nature because we might shrink away in our utter nothingness. It proclaims God’s holiness that leads to our worship. In the Bible the holiness of God is spoken of more than any of His other attributes. God wants us to understand above everything else that He is holy.
The Earth is Full of His Glory
The song also proclaims that “the whole earth is full of His glory.” The neutrons and electrons of the atom to the starry hosts join nebulae of the galaxies in praise to God as they are governed by flawless laws of precise order. God is glorified in the busy work that constructs an anthill as well as the majestic mountains that shoot up past the clouds. From the first cry of the newborn to the final breath of life, the body is a staggering wonder of intricate machinery in living flesh. The imaginations of the mind can transport people across miles and years. The elements of our blood feed, supply, defend and animate the human body. These wonders declare the glory of their Maker.
The Need for Cleansing
Overwhelmed by what he was witnessing, Isaiah could but look at himself with a sense of disgust and horror. “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (vs. 5).
The vision Isaiah had did not make him prideful for being allowed such a privilege but humbled. Isaiah was struck by his sinfulness, not compared to other people but compared to God. While the angelic host was offering its song of praise, all Isaiah could offer was his sin. What alarmed him the most was his lips. Perhaps he remembered his past lies, his profanity, his gossip or his vulgar conversation – or all of these. The mouth is a gateway where most of our sins show themselves first. Then he remembered that he shared this with the people where he lived. It was not only in him. It was all around him.
Isaiah did not feel glory. He felt totally undone. Exposed with nowhere to hide.
Fortunately, God did not leave him in his misery. One of the heavenly beings flew to the altar, took a hot coal and placed its searing heat on Isaiah’s lips. “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven” (vs. 7). The NLT has watered down the original language. Rather than “your sins are forgiven” there is indicated in the original Hebrew an action of deep cleansing and purifying, like the burning out of impurities that occurs when gold is heated to a molten liquid. Isaiah needed more than a pat on the head and then being sent on his way. He needed something that would transform him from the struggling believer he had been to the man God intended him to be. He needed holiness.
There comes a point in the life of believers when they must choose between dwelling in the twilight of sins forgiven and a life not fully transformed, moving on to become all that God intended for him to be. The Holy Spirit may use strong confrontation as He used with Isaiah or there may be an urging, a hunger, a sense that something more is needed. The believer sees others who seem to know something that he does not. Why can’t I be victorious? Why don’t I have the power to witness? Why am I constantly dogged by sins that I thought I was finished with? Just as Isaiah had to have the deep cleansing and purifying represented by the burning coal, we need the fire of the Holy Spirit to fully cleanse us.
Fit for Service
When this was done in Isaiah’s life he was fully fit for service. The challenge went forth from God: “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” Isaiah, now cleansed and empowered could not contain himself: “Here I am. Send me!” (vs. 8).
Is this the day when you will seek the cleansing and empowering from God that will set you on a life of victory? Or will you remain in the twilight of indecision, never knowing what you could be if fully yielded to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies?
Our Corporate Prayer
O dear Father, although I dare not be overwhelmed by Your absolute holiness, I ask that You show me enough of Yourself so that I can see any impurities that are in me. Please shine the light of Your Holy Spirit upon my heart. If I have unclean lips, touch Your fire on my lips and cleanse them! If somewhere else in me is unclean, let the fire of Your Holy Spirit burn it out of me so that I am clean before You. And then make me ready for Your service so that I can stand and say, "Here am I! Send me!" I offer myself to You, great God and Savior, for I pray this in Your holiest of names. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
India South Eastern Territory
Thinking It Through
Why do you think that when Isaiah saw the Lord, he felt the need for cleansing most on his lips? In what way does that speak to you today?
Notable Quotables
Of itself purity is not power, but it clears the way. - Commissioner T. Henry Howard
We opened quoting this song. Take a moment to listen to it again.
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory