Daily Devotions
Visiting the Throne Room
Title: Visiting the Throne Room
Reading for July 16: Isaiah 4-8
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.
Isaiah 6:1
There's been a lot in the news to discourage us lately. It doesn't appear that things are getting better in the world, but worse.
How shall the righteous respond?
The LORD called Isaiah, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" We tend to focus on the positive response from the prophet, "Here I am! Send me." (6:8) But we should not stop there.
On the whole, this is not a positive, feel good chapter. Uzziah had been a good king, however in his later years he was filled with pride and God struck him with leprosy. Uzziah's wicked son was taking his place. The nation was about to take a turn for the worse. Only a small fraction of the people would be spared (6:11-13). The call was to go and preach to an obstinate and rebellious people who would not listen or respond to his preaching (6:9-10). What would motivate Isaiah to fulfill and continue in the difficult call the LORD had given him?
It was this vision that Isaiah saw. The king was dead, but he saw the King! Kings come and go, but the LORD God remained sovereign over all (6:2-5).
We need a fresh vision of God on his throne still today. With all of the wickedness and corruption and injustice around us, we need to see beyond to the One who rules in heaven, the One who is the LORD of hosts! He is the One we must please. He is the One who cleanses us from sin. He is the Holy One of Israel.
If you're discouraged right now, take some time out today to go to the throne room.
Sovereign Lord who rules over earth and heaven, you are Holy, Holy, Holy... The whole earth is full of your glory! Help us to see you more clearly! Purge our lips from sin! Send us out as your prophets to speak the words of life, to preach the Word in season and out of season!
