Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Have you ever been intimidated by somebody? Isaiah and the angels were in our Verse of the Day.
It's Isaiah chapter 6, verse 3. "They were calling out to each other, 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with His glory!'"
This is an incredible passage if you look at it, because we see not only Isaiah's response, but the angels' response. Very simply, the angels reveal two breathtaking truths about God that should really fill us with awe. The theme of Isaiah is all about salvation. King Uzziah has died. Judah is facing uncertainty, and Isaiah sees God seated on His throne before he's flung into ministry. This is what he sees.
Number One: God's Holiness Is Awesome
The word awesome is an overused word. I understand. Man, this new cell phone I got is awesome. That ice cream is awesome. I love this coffee, it's awesome. It's an overused word, but not with God. The word awesome means awe-inspiring, and God's holiness is absolutely awesome.
Do you want to know if something's really awesome, something's really significant, or if someone is really important? What is heaven's perspective of that person? Over in Revelation chapter 4, verse 8, which is a similar passage, the Bible says, "The four living creatures"—again, four angels—"each of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say"—in another version, "they never stop saying"—"'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.'"
They're spellbound by what they see in heaven, and they never stop saying this. First Samuel chapter 2, verse 2 says, "No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God."
There's just a sense of otherness to God, who's unlike you and me. The angels in heaven are not saying, you know, Jesus, my bro. He's my pal. I understand there's a personal friendship and relationship that we have with God, but there's not a triviality here at all. These angels, they're amazed at the purity of Almighty God.
Number Two: God's Glory Fills the Earth
You say, well, how pervasive is this purity, this holiness? Number two, God's glory, God's holiness, fills the earth. Right from the text: "The whole earth is filled with His glory." Not a whole bunch. Not a lot, not a massive amount. The whole earth is filled with the glory of God. Scientists say the earth is about 71% water. All of the earth is filled with the glory of God. Psalm chapter 19, verse 1 says, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship."
It's like God saying, you want to see My glory? Look at all the earth around you. By the way, it's not just obviously confined to the earth. It's all over the heavens. You look at the stars, the beauty of the stars, the massive nature of the stars, the beauty of it, and they declare the work of God's hands.
How Does This Affect Us?
How does this affect us? Number one, humble yourself because of His holiness. This is so practical. What was Isaiah's response? Just a couple verses later, in verse 5: "Then I said, 'It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven's Armies.'"
He was just undone. He was humbled. Can I encourage you? That's what you and I need in our life. We need sometimes just a view of the holiness of Almighty God.
Number two, worship. What are the angels doing in heaven? They are absolutely worshiping God always, forever. He's eternally holy, eternally amazing. Even eternity will not exhaust His holiness and His greatness. Psalm chapter 99, verse 9 says, "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain."
Number three and finally, prepare for God's service. After the angel touched Isaiah's mouth and purified him, Isaiah said, "Here I am. Send me." I don't think it was some overly confident statement. It's like, here I am, send me, and I'm aware of Your awesomeness, and yet I'm just a frail human being.
How about us? May God help you and help me as we look at this amazing passage. May we be humbled. May it cause us to worship. May you feel the importance of being flung into service like Isaiah was, because you've seen God through His Word, and you can't help but tell people about this great God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
