ENCOUNTER: DAY 19

SCRIPTURE READING - DAY 19


Isaiah 6

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw
the Lord seated on a throne, high and
exalted, and the train of his robe filled
the temple. Above him were seraphs,
each with six wings: With two wings they
covered their faces, with two they covered
their feet, and with two they were flying.
And they were calling to one another: "
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

…Then one of the seraphs 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!" (NIV)


MEDITATION BY Steve Hoke


Can you recall an unexpected encounter that was truly life changing, where the result far exceeded your expectation? We are not the first generation in history to live through political turmoil, economic uneasiness, and leadership turnover. Isaiah, too, lived in chaotic times. Yet his divine encounter with the holiness of God models a breakthrough we may anticipate this season.

Recently graduated from "Prophets’ School," Isaiah was learning the ropes of being God’s voice to a resistant people. His sponsor-mentor, King Uzziah, had just died, leaving Isaiah unprotected and vulnerable. What early confidence he might have had was already beaten out of him by criticism and the apparent deafness of the people. Whom could he trust?

Possibly bewildered and unsure of himself, he was surely seeking solace, silence, and solitude when he entered the temple at daybreak. Unexpectedly, the Lord of all Nations shakes the building to its foundation and gives the young seer a personal view of his utter holiness. Instead of solace, he is confronted by his own sinfulness and the desperate disconnect between Israel and their God. Instead of silence, he witnesses a special effects display. Instead of solitude, he encounters intimacy with Yahweh. Unexpectedly, Isaiah's first and natural response is confession—both individual and corporate: “I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips.” Unexpectedly , the excruciating pain of a white-hot coal tenderizes his lips, purifying his uncleanness.

I have long been surprised that holiness and wounding are related. Most of life, I sought to get my ministry act together to take it on the road. Like young Isaiah, I thought preparation, appearance, and associations were important. But when I experienced Abba’s unconditional love and the severe mercy of his cleansing, I shared Isaiah’s wonder at how a holy God would ever invite me to join him in being a witness to the nations. Hesitant and humbled, I gladly confessed my desperate dependence on Jesus. And totally unexpectedly, now aware of my wounded inadequacy, the Spirit sent me.

Years later as an aging prophet, seared by the Refiner’s fire in his youth, Isaiah would be able to foresee the healing of the nations and write, “…by your wounds our wounds are healed” (53:5). Having experienced wounding deeply and early, he could predict with hope the holiness to come.

Divine encounter happens best when we leave the mundane to meet the Almighty. Make space for renewed worship this season. Clear out the typical expectations of your past experiences. Anticipate the unexpected.


REFLECTION


As you prepare to worship, what uncleanness and weakness is the Spirit calling you to confess?


What dependence is Jesus inviting you into?


What posture do you assume in Abba’s presence?