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Turn to Isaiah Chapter 6 – where we have his testimony – the way in which Isaiah was called to be a prophet of God. We have looked at various Chapter in his amazing prophetic book – but how did all this happen – how did all this come about?

In Paul's testimony to how he met Jesus Christ - we see how clear it was. Paul explained what happened, and with such detail. So did Isaiah.

Isaiah went into the Temple at a very specific and important time. One era had come to an end - one era had ended. Uzziah had been a good king - but something went wrong. 2Chronicles 26 verses 1to 5 give us the details.

As long as Uzziah sought the Lord - God made him prosper. King Uzziah knew all kinds of success - verses 6 to 15 - and in verse 16 , we read of what went wrong. One day Uzziah went into the Temple and tried to be a priest.

King Uzziah tried to show the priests how to do their holy work - how to conduct worship - and how to run the church of the day. He was dreadfully wrong in attempting to do this - and they told him - and rather than listen to the priests - Uzziah was angry with the priests - verse 19 - and as he was being angry with the priests - at that very moment, he suddenly developed leprosy - and for the remainder of his day he was a leper.

The fallen diseased king dies a leper and Isaiah has this vision of earth's unstable throne.

All he did was try to become a priest - and he became a leper. He moved out of the area of his calling. God has set limitations around us - and woe betide us if we foolishly think we can go beyond our calling in Christ Jesus.

Many people know the first part of Isaiah Chapter 6 – but not the second half!

But our gracious God had called Isaiah - and Isaiah goes into the Temple in Jerusalem. And - Isaiah sees and knows that God is still on the throne.

When Paul was going through times of serious and severe difficulty, he knew that Jesus Christ had chosen him and called him. This lay at the heart of the life and ministry of Isaiah - and men like Paul and Peter. They knew God had spoken to them - chosen them - and called them.

Isaiah had this vision of God. He saw something of the holiness of God. We seldom hear much about the holiness of Almighty God in these days Isaiah heard the sounds of heaven.

He saw something of what was going on - like John in the Book of Revelation.

There was a sense of the holiness of God in the Temple - and Isaiah realised his own sinfulness - and we see how he was suddenly forgiven.

Isaiah then had a vision of himself – and his nation – he realised he was dirty – unclean – impure –ruined – I am done for! Isaiah then has his sin dealt with – it was seared out of him – for us we need the blood of Jesus Christ to wash us and cleanse us. Sin can be dealt with in a second.

Then, he heard a voice - the voice of God - and he responded so positively. Isaiah heard questions - and Isaiah dared to answer. He answered positively and immediately.

We need clear convictions. You could not get anything clearer than this - or with Paul. These two men are so clear and simple and the detail is specific.

Paul was opposed, persecuted, imprisoned and hunted from the very beginning - and yet he saw people come to believe in Jesus - and his aim was continually to build up these people in the faith - to see them strong and growing and becoming mature disciples of Jesus. But there was great hardship.

Now Paul was told that, at the very beginning - I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. That information was given as he was about to have his sight restored - and be baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts Chapter 9 .

But back to Isaiah - God tells Isaiah that when he goes - his ministry humanly speaking will be a failure. In the eyes and values of men - in the way men judge success, Isaiah will be no success.

This is a preacher's, prophet's, pastor's constant frustration - and this can try and test a man's enthusiasm. It is possible to preach and teach - and you wonder - you wonder how many have heard what God is saying.

God goes on to say to Isaiah - "Your preaching will make people worse - the more you preach, the less they will believe. Isaiah - Preach - Prophesy - but nobody will listen - nevertheless, Preach and Prophesy."

They will not listen - nor receive the Word you speak. There will be little response.

They will become harder - deaf - and blind - spiritually. Extraordinary! The Word of God either softens you or hardens you. It will be doing one of these things in your heart and mind just now. The Word of God either blesses people or annoys people.

Now - that can be through preaching and teaching - living a prophetic life - or by witnessing and testifying.

As people hear this Book, they are either flooded with the love and mercy and peace and grace and goodness of God - or they are infuriated by its teaching.

Isaiah had the sad experience of seeing this as he proclaimed the Word of God in Jerusalem - as people became harder and harder.

And yet, to those who believe in Jesus and love this Word - and who are seeking to walk in the light of Jesus Christ - these words become more precious than gold.

This passage is taken up some six times in the New Testament -

Matthew 13verses 13to 17 , where Jesus quotes from Isaiah 6.

John 12verse 40 - Jesus again quoting from Isaiah 6.

Acts 28 verses 25 to 27 where Paul nearing the end of his exciting and demanding ministry turns to these words of Isaiah.

Isaiah asks God - For how long is this going to be my ministry? Lord, how long have I to go on like this? And the answer comes from God - "until the land lies waste and the cities desolate - for 40 years - until you lose virtually all your congregation - and dear Isaiah, you will see people go further and further from Me, even until this place is desolate."

Now remember too, that the services in the Temple were well attended at that time - but they were empty of spiritual content and relevance.

Even when God spoke to people and continues to speak to people - and invites them to come for cleansing and forgiveness and healing - even when Jesus does all this and so much more - some are determined not to come to God.

Isaiah is standing there in the Temple - asking these vital questions - looking up to this vision of God - and God shows him a stump.

The land has been devastated - overcome - conquered - but a stump remains.

Isaiah never forgot this - it coloured and influenced his whole ministry.

Isaiah remembered what God had shown him in the Temple on this occasion.

Isaiah knew - that with Uzziah dead - the living God was still on the Throne - and one day He would put things right - and HE did.

From the very ruins of Israel - something will appear and grow - Someone will come - even from a cut down stump. Jesus Christ the Saviour will appear. Out of this most moving - and darkest - passage in this Book, there shines shafts of light and hope. What a challenge from The Word of God to remain faithful to God - no matter what is going on around us - no matter what we are experiencing. This experience in the temple coloured and influenced the whole of his life and the rest of his life.

What or who is influencing your life – what or who is colouring your life?

Isaiah is given a vision of God. Isaiah is given a vision of himself. Isaiah is given a vision of a waiting world.

In these perilous days – is God giving you a vision – a vision of His glory and mercy and grace and love and holiness.

Is God giving you a vision of yourself – and your need – but knowing that Jesus Christ has the answer to that need?

Is God giving you a vision of a waiting world – and if so – what are you going to do about it?

“Gracious loving Father – we know You do not give a vision – or call us – or reveal something in Your Word – just to give us something for our testimony – but it is given for obedience and service. Lord God – speak to us anew and again and afresh. If we have wandered from that initial calling and revelation and choosing – have mercy and forgive us. Enable us to arise once more – committed and dedicated and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit – hear us Father – have mercy Lord Jesus.” Amen.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Origin Of Nations