Sermon Devotional: How Can We Be Found?
Sermon Title: How Can We Be Found?
Scripture: Job 14:14-17 (ESV)
In Genesis 3, and week 3 of the Godspeed Pilgrim, Adam and Eve found themselves hiding from the Lord their God and “Getting Lost” in their sin. This week the scriptures led us to some notable Old Testament Greats who chose “Not Hiding” from Yahweh and discovered themselves “being found” by God. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and Isaiah all responded to the Lord’s “Where are you?” with “Here I am” courage. Even though the details of their stories vary, for each of these great men of faith, their “Here I am” courage came at a cost—the same cost that you and I must pay. Let’s look deeper into one of these saints—the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah chapters 1-5 have painted the not-so-pretty picture of Israel’s rebellion and disobedience and of the impending judgment that is to come. Some believe that the placement of chapter 6, the story of Isaiah’s call and commission, is strategic. Following the brutal description in the first five chapters, the people may be asking, “Is there hope of redemption for such a disobedient people?” Isaiah tells his own story to assure them that God’s answer is “yes!”
Isaiah chapter six is a fantastic epiphany—a manifestation of a divine being—that stretches the imagination. It is an awe-filled glimpse of heaven and of the majestic throne room of God. (Read and compare Isaiah 6:1-4 with Revelation 4. Our own eyes will one day see what Isaiah saw!) In the thirteen verses that comprise this chapter, Isaiah is called to be God’s prophet and he is commissioned to deliver God’s message of judgment and promised redemption to Israel.
Isaiah describes what he experienced: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Is 6:1). There are seraphim with six wings, doorposts and thresholds shaking, smoke fills Isaiah’s nostrils (Is 6:2-4), and there is thunderous singing. “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3).
Then the despairing reality hits Isaiah hard. “‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty’” (Is 6:5). In today’s sermon scripture, Job also recognizes his sin longs for his sin to be taken away. He asks that “My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and You would cover my guilt” (Job 14:17). Among the Old Testament Greats, David also cries for atonement. “Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Ps 51:9-10).
In the presence of the God of Glory, standing before the throne of God, Isaiah cries, “I am ruined!” He is utterly humbled and he knows himself without illusion or pretense. “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for’” (Is 6:6-7). Atonement for Isaiah’s sin has been made and his guilt is removed. Oh, what joy! With atonement accomplished, then the Lord speaks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Is 6:8). It may be pure relief, deep gratitude, raw desire to extend what Isaiah has received, but whatever the reason, the Spirit of God rumbles within him, and Isaiah enthusiastically answers the Lord. “And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Is 6:8). Like a child clamoring to be chosen, Isaiah raises his hand high and says, “Pick me! Pick me!”
Isaiah is no longer hiding from God because of his sin. He is not waiting for someone else to volunteer. He is not doubting the extent of his forgiveness. Nor is he questioning the goodness and trustworthiness of his God. Isaiah, like the other Old Testament Greats, along with the Lord of Life, prays, “Your will, not mine, be done!”
Consider—
╬ Telling one another our Pilgrimage stories is an essential part of this journey. One pilgrim was surprised to realize that she is a “hider.” She’s never thought that hiding was her modus operandi, but found herself hiding from a neighbor and hiding from an unpleasant task or responsibility and looking for any distraction to keep her from addressing what she needs to tend to. She is working hard to pray “Here I am, Lord. . . not hiding!” A second pilgrim confesses that she uses “I’m busy!” as her means of hiding. Another pilgrim admits that he is a hider and he equates his hiding to his shame. He is actively and intentionally walking with Jesus to relinquish his shame and to receive his belovedness. Are you Godspeed-ing? Tell your stories to one another.
╬ In what circumstance of your life is the Lord inviting you to pray, “Your will, not mine, be done”? Will you relinquish your illusion of control, trust in God’s desire for your flourishing, and humbly surrender to his call?
╬ “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” We worship you, our Living God. It is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Scripture: Job 14:14-17 (ESV)
With [a live coal] he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for me?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:7-8
In Genesis 3, and week 3 of the Godspeed Pilgrim, Adam and Eve found themselves hiding from the Lord their God and “Getting Lost” in their sin. This week the scriptures led us to some notable Old Testament Greats who chose “Not Hiding” from Yahweh and discovered themselves “being found” by God. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and Isaiah all responded to the Lord’s “Where are you?” with “Here I am” courage. Even though the details of their stories vary, for each of these great men of faith, their “Here I am” courage came at a cost—the same cost that you and I must pay. Let’s look deeper into one of these saints—the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah chapters 1-5 have painted the not-so-pretty picture of Israel’s rebellion and disobedience and of the impending judgment that is to come. Some believe that the placement of chapter 6, the story of Isaiah’s call and commission, is strategic. Following the brutal description in the first five chapters, the people may be asking, “Is there hope of redemption for such a disobedient people?” Isaiah tells his own story to assure them that God’s answer is “yes!”
Isaiah chapter six is a fantastic epiphany—a manifestation of a divine being—that stretches the imagination. It is an awe-filled glimpse of heaven and of the majestic throne room of God. (Read and compare Isaiah 6:1-4 with Revelation 4. Our own eyes will one day see what Isaiah saw!) In the thirteen verses that comprise this chapter, Isaiah is called to be God’s prophet and he is commissioned to deliver God’s message of judgment and promised redemption to Israel.
Isaiah describes what he experienced: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Is 6:1). There are seraphim with six wings, doorposts and thresholds shaking, smoke fills Isaiah’s nostrils (Is 6:2-4), and there is thunderous singing. “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3).
Then the despairing reality hits Isaiah hard. “‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty’” (Is 6:5). In today’s sermon scripture, Job also recognizes his sin longs for his sin to be taken away. He asks that “My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and You would cover my guilt” (Job 14:17). Among the Old Testament Greats, David also cries for atonement. “Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Ps 51:9-10).
In the presence of the God of Glory, standing before the throne of God, Isaiah cries, “I am ruined!” He is utterly humbled and he knows himself without illusion or pretense. “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for’” (Is 6:6-7). Atonement for Isaiah’s sin has been made and his guilt is removed. Oh, what joy! With atonement accomplished, then the Lord speaks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Is 6:8). It may be pure relief, deep gratitude, raw desire to extend what Isaiah has received, but whatever the reason, the Spirit of God rumbles within him, and Isaiah enthusiastically answers the Lord. “And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Is 6:8). Like a child clamoring to be chosen, Isaiah raises his hand high and says, “Pick me! Pick me!”
Isaiah is no longer hiding from God because of his sin. He is not waiting for someone else to volunteer. He is not doubting the extent of his forgiveness. Nor is he questioning the goodness and trustworthiness of his God. Isaiah, like the other Old Testament Greats, along with the Lord of Life, prays, “Your will, not mine, be done!”
Consider—
╬ Telling one another our Pilgrimage stories is an essential part of this journey. One pilgrim was surprised to realize that she is a “hider.” She’s never thought that hiding was her modus operandi, but found herself hiding from a neighbor and hiding from an unpleasant task or responsibility and looking for any distraction to keep her from addressing what she needs to tend to. She is working hard to pray “Here I am, Lord. . . not hiding!” A second pilgrim confesses that she uses “I’m busy!” as her means of hiding. Another pilgrim admits that he is a hider and he equates his hiding to his shame. He is actively and intentionally walking with Jesus to relinquish his shame and to receive his belovedness. Are you Godspeed-ing? Tell your stories to one another.
╬ In what circumstance of your life is the Lord inviting you to pray, “Your will, not mine, be done”? Will you relinquish your illusion of control, trust in God’s desire for your flourishing, and humbly surrender to his call?
╬ “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” We worship you, our Living God. It is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.