It was in the year King Uzziah died that I [Isaiah] saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Isaiah 6:1-3
Often it takes devastation and loss in our lives to make us "see" the Lord!
Here, in this passage, Isaiah is found mourning the loss of a great leader - King Uzziah, who had brought prosperity and peace to Judah. A king who had walked in the ways of the Lord.
Perhaps we Brits will feel something similar when we lose our dear Queen!
Isaiah is in the Temple, pouring out his grief, wondering what will come next. What will now become of Judah?
When he looks up, he sees the Lord.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"!
The Lord is not shattered or disturbed by the loss of Uzziah!
No, He is sovereignly still in control.
Is He pacing about in a quandary, wondering what to do?
No, He is seated on His Throne and His Presence fills the whole Temple.
In our griefs and loss, we can feel isolated and vulnerable. So what a comfort it is to feel the Lord's Presence and to know He is in control.
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11 today, many will still be asking "why" and have had to cling on to the Lord during their grief.
There is a message given by the angels - God is whole and perfect, "holy, holy, holy", the One constant in the transitory nature of our lives!
Like on a bright, cloudless summer's day, the sun cannot be missed, so the earth is filled with the glory of God.
Except, often, we are too busy to see the obvious - we DO miss it, until distractions are stripped away!
Time spent alone with the Lord in our human "temple" will refocus us, assure us, that God is sovereign over the events of "His-story"!
Nothing surprises Him, He has Heavenly armies at His command to deal with wicked spiritual forces.
Friends, let's look up from our worries, fears and sadness and see the majesty of King Jesus, who so loves us and will never fail or forsake us.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
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