Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Isaiah’s vision in the temple is one of the most breathtaking encounters recorded in Scripture—a divine revelation filled with awe, conviction, and transformation. Found in Isaiah 6, this passage captures a moment of unparalleled majesty, where the prophet comes face to face with God’s holiness, his own unworthiness, and the overwhelming power of grace. This passage took on a profound personal meaning for me after my Walk to Emmaus (B.L.E.W. #201, Table of Peter), where I, too, encountered God in a life-altering way. Like Isaiah, I was moved to surrender, answering His call to serve.

Isaiah begins his account with a striking image:

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1).

The sheer magnitude of this vision is staggering. Heavenly seraphim hover around the throne, proclaiming in unison:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3).

Even the celestial beings, who have never tasted sin, shield their faces and feet in reverence before the purity of God’s presence. In that moment, Isaiah is undone. The weight of his sin becomes unbearable as he cries out:

“Woe to me! 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” (Isaiah 6:5).

Isaiah’s reaction is the only natural response when sinful humanity is confronted with absolute holiness—an acute awareness of our own unworthiness. Yet, just when despair seems inevitable, grace intervenes. One of the seraphim takes a live coal from the altar and touches Isaiah’s lips, declaring:

“See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7).

Notice how the angel uses tongs to take a live coal from the altar—so sacred that even a sinless being dares not touch it—yet places it directly on Isaiah’s lips with its hand. This striking contrast highlights the awe-inspiring holiness of God and His willingness to extend purification to the unworthy.

The burning coal cleanses Isaiah’s guilt and commissions him for service, illustrating that only God can make us holy. This moment foreshadows the ultimate act of purification through Jesus Christ, who bore our sins so that we might stand blameless before God. Just as the coal from the altar touched Isaiah, Christ’s sacrifice touches us, cleansing and commissioning us for His divine purpose.

Isaiah’s transformation is a model for how we, too, can pursue holiness in a fallen world:

• Acknowledging Our Need for Grace: Before Isaiah could be used by God, he had to recognize his own sinfulness. In the same way, confession and repentance are the starting points for a holy life.
• Drawing Near to God: Isaiah’s change occurred in God’s presence. Through prayer, worship, and Scripture, we invite His refining fire into our hearts.
• Relying on the Holy Spirit: Holiness is not achieved by sheer willpower but through the Spirit’s work in us, shaping our thoughts, words, and actions.
• Guarding Our Hearts and Minds: In a world saturated with impurity, we must set boundaries, fill our minds with truth, and surround ourselves with godly influences.

Isaiah’s encounter doesn’t end with his cleansing. He hears God’s voice:

“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

With no hesitation, Isaiah responds:

“Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

This declaration is more than a moment of surrender—it is a lifelong commitment to God’s mission. Likewise, we are called to step forward in obedience, willing to be His hands and feet in a broken world.

For me, this passage became deeply personal in the little chapel at Blue Lake. In the stillness, I heard God’s voice ask, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” My heart knew the answer before my lips spoke: “Here I am. Send me.” That moment marked the beginning of my journey into full-time ministry—a calling born from an encounter with God’s presence, just as Isaiah experienced centuries before.

Isaiah’s vision is a reminder that holiness is both a gift and a calling. We are cleansed by grace, and in response, we dedicate ourselves to His service. As we walk through a world darkened by sin, may our lives reflect His light. May we continually seek His presence, and when He calls, may our answer always be:

“Here I am. Send me.”

This is my prayer for you today. May you encounter His presence, embrace His grace, and walk boldly in His calling. Be blessed!