In the Year That King Uzziah Died 4

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, (Luke 4:17)

Now we are becoming aware that God has a plan of His own. He is not interested in blessing our plans to set up our own kingdom in His name. He desires to send us to do His will. But God's will and plan are so high above any scheme we can imagine that the most we can do is to agree to worship and serve Him.

Isaiah responded instantly:

. . . Here am I; send me. (Isaiah 6:8)

Our self-made ambitions and plans fade into obscurity and we are willing to serve the Lord. Then our enthusiasm revives. "He will use me after all. There may be some glory for me."

But God's ways can be flesh-crucifying, self-crucifying.

Who among us would go and perform the Lord's will if he received Isaiah's commission?

. . . Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. (Isaiah 6:9)

What kind of assignment to preach is this? This is the Good News?

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isaiah 6:10)

Isaiah cried out in distress, "Lord, how long?"

. . . Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, (Isaiah 6:11)

What a miserable commission! Total darkness except for the glimmer of hope for the remnant of the holy seed who would return (verse 13).

If ever there was an assignment calculated to destroy the last trace of self-exaltation and self-will in a man of God, Isaiah had just received it. Isaiah's nation, the only audience with which he was familiar, was suffering because of its rebellion against the Lord.

But the Lord Jesus had in mind an exceedingly magnificent mission for our disappointed prophet—an unnumbered congregation of saints from every age of history, from every city and village on the earth.

For to the "prince of the prophets" was given the Gospel of the King of kings and Lord of lords—a light that has shined and yet will shine in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. And they shall hear and be saved.

It was Isaiah who proclaimed:

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Isaiah 61:1)

Isaiah was given a true understanding of his own sinfulness and of those about him. His assignment from the Lord was a difficult one. There is tradition to the effect that he was martyred.

But to few men has been granted the opportunity to reveal in such fullness the atoning death and the glorious eternal life and Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.

Can we see the King high and lifted up today? Can we hear His voice?—His concern for the peoples of the earth? Can we accept the wretchedness and uncleanness of our own condition?

When we exalt the Lord He will purge our iniquity with a glowing coal from the Divine Fire of His own Being. Whether our commission is plain and acceptable, or difficult to understand or appreciate, Christ will be exalted in us and through us if we yield ourselves to His Presence and purposes. (from Kingdom Concepts)

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