“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!‘
“And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’ Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah’s vision came at a pivotal time. Godly King Uzziah (Azariah), who had led Israel with spiritual integrity and great success over half a century until he declined in pride, had died. The Lord glaringly reminded the prophet of his own pride and Who was really King. Before the high and Holy One, all fell short, all were unclean, until the atonement of the burning coal. Only the fire and pain of the altar, only the Perfect Offering, only the sting of sacrificial death could remove guilt and free for holy service. (Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
How carelessly we go about our daily duties. We plan and perform. We promote ourselves and pick at others’ shortcomings. We swoon with emotion at goings-on around us, yet are numb to the inner stain that should unsettle. We fixate on the folly and break of leaders and fellow citizens, yet fail to see that we are foolish and broken.
Once we enter the throne room, once we gaze at the Lord high and lifted up, everything changes. When the foundations of His temple tremble, and His holiness fills the atmosphere, we are undone. What are our lips and eyes before pure praise and glorious light? Wonder becomes woe until the work of the burning coal. (Psalm 73:16-17,21-22; Habakkuk 2:1)
Have we sought this vision? In pivotal moments, or times of change or decision, where do we look for meaning and direction? What distractions, what lesser things steal our sight and attention?
The enemy’s ploy is to keep us in a stew of complaint against those around us and a state of complacency about ourselves. The Lord calls us to be shaken, to fill our sight with Him and humble ourselves before His supremacy. When will we look and bow and receive the burning coal, and so surrender to His righteousness and holy assignments? (Psalm 51:1-15)
Lord, here am I for You to cleanse and send for Your purposes and glory.
As the rain and snow 