Here am I, send me

Here am I, send me –Pastor Micky, CDC

On the first day of the new year, we were privileged to have our own Pastor Micky launch the CDC theme for 2006 – “Here am I, send me” with a sermon on the very text where the verse could be found: Isaiah 6:1-13

It was the year 739 B.C., the year of the death of King Uzziah, who had ruled for 52 years in Judah over a period of peace and prosperity, and there was much fear and uncertainty in the air over what the new reign would bring. In the time of stability and commerce, the peoples hearts had become materialistic, proud and oppressive of the poor. Religion was still a part of their lives but only as a matter of form, with no substance.

It was against this background that the prophet Isaiah received one of the most powerful visions recorded in the Bible. While worshipping and seeking God in the temple, He saw the Lord Himself on His throne, with the train of His robe filling His whole temple. Powerful and fearsome angels, the Seraphim flew in the air around the temple, declaring “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is filled with His glory”.

Confronted with such an awesome sight, Isaiah fell too the ground and cried “Woe is me”. In the face of God’s incredible holiness and goodness, our sinfulness and shame overwhelms us completely. Yet, Isaiah was not left in his sin. One of the Seraphim was sent to bring him a burning coal from the altar to touch his lips and purify him from all sin. Once purified, he heard the voice of the Lord call out “ Whom shall I send?”, and Isaiah cried out in gratefulness at the opportunity to serve the Holy God “Here am I, send me!” Thus began one of the most remarkable ministries of a prophet the world had ever seen, with Isaiah particularly privileged in being able to prophesy in several places about the coming of the Messiah in amazing detail.

Lessons for us:-

(i)                  Seek God – Isaiah was seeking God in His temple when he received the vision. If we seek God, Scripture promises us that He will be found of us

(ii)                God is in control – Earthly kings and leaders may come and go, but God is King forever. We need never fear when we have such a great God and King!

(iii)               Be reverent and humble – Even the powerful seraphim humbled themselves meekly before God, covering their eyes and feet in reverence. We too must learn to adopt a humble and reverent attitude towards God always.

(iv)              God seeks to forgive and purify us – Isaiah’s sins were forgiven and purified by the burning coal from the altar. We are forgiven and purified by the blood of Jesus from His amazing sacrifice. We must be aware of the wretchedness of our sin, yet accept His forgiveness in faith.

(v)                Make ourselves available to God – Like Isaiah, God call each one of us, waiting for us to respond to Him. Let us be ready and willing, to say to God, Here am I, send me.

God bless,

Jason