Preparation for Service

(#1054, Imperial, 1964)

Read Isaiah 6:1-9.

We stand today in the threshold of our winters work.  We need to prepare ourselves for the Service that is ahead.  Isaiah had this experience "in the year Uzziah died".  Uzziah's reign had been remarkable (2 Chronicles 26) for it's popularity (v1), perseverance (v5), power (v8), progress (v10), preparation (v15), peril (v16), and plague (v20).  After 52 years on the throne Uzziah finally died leaving Israel in chaos and Isaiah concerned that Judah was following hard in the wake of Israel to sure defeat and disaster.  The one throne Israel had looked to for support was empty.  But Isaiah now saw a throne that is never empty.  He saw the Lord! This is the greatest preparation for service: seeing the Lord.

I. Woe is me.

When the prophet had a clear vision of God he had a true vision of man.  The "unclean lips" remind us that sin nowhere more easily is evident than in our words (Jas. 3:6-8).  Man's words express his heart (Matt. 15:18).  One of the first qualifications for being ready to serve is to realize how unworthy, how undone we are.

II. Lo, this hath touched thy lips.

This is the work of God: perfect cleansing from the altar of Calvary.  "Thy crookedness is taken away; thy sin is purged."  God cannot deal with Isaiah in his uncleanness except by the coal of fire that comes from the altar.

III. Go and tell.

God is asking for "volunteers".  God needs someone to be sent, to go and represent Him.  We tend to put emphasis on "going" when we serve God.  But we don't go; we are sent.

Isaiah said "Here am I; send me."  I am at your disposal, ready to be sent.  Are you ready?