Monday, July 5, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Rachal Little
In Isaiah 6, we read Isaiah’s call story, told from his own perspective. He details the majesty of God with images of the deity seated in the temple, high upon a throne, wearing a robe so magnificent that the train alone fills the entire room. Angelic creatures singing praises to God crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord almighty! Heaven and earth are full of your glory!” invade the prophet’s senses. In response to all this holy grandeur, Isaiah’s initial response is to confront his own unworthiness. He acknowledges and laments that he is a man of unclean lips living among people of unclean lips. And while all of this is true, it’s not the sentiment Isaiah ends with. He finishes by saying, “yet, my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.” That “yet” implies that Isaiah is saying, “I know I’m unworthy, but I’ve seen God, and there’s no going back. I’ll never be the same.”
After this confession and declaration of faith, Isaiah is purified by having his lips touched by live coal, and the entire story culminates with God extending an invitation in the form of a question – “Whom shall I send with the message for this people?” to which Isaiah humbly replies, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
Many encounters of God’s holiness change us as profoundly as they did Isaiah and compel us to respond to God’s invitation to partner in serving the world with similar earnestness – “Here I am, Lord! Send me!”
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
