TRANSFORMED BY GOD’S PRESENCE

“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips…for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” – Isaiah 6:5

Prophet Isaiah models for us, the reality of being TRANSFORMED BY GOD’S PRESENCE: “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isa.6:5). This was the prophet’s transforming vision! When Isaiah saw the Lord as He is, high – “high and lifted up” (v.1), and holy – “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts” (vv.2-4); he was profoundly surprised to discover that he was “unclean.” He, who had declared six “woes” in the preceding chapter – on the greedy, the mockers, the perverted, the self-conceited, and the lawless – now declared “Woe is me!” The second surprise: God’s Presence revealed Isaiah’s need for purging (vv.6-7). And the third surprise was: in spite of his failure, he could be greatly used of God (v.8).

Prior to his divine encounter, Isaiah like all devoted citizens had venerated King Uzziah. For fifty-two years, the King had led Judah in an administration of peace, prosperity, expansion, and achievement; his death left a shattering blow on Isaiah. The throne sat empty. Unfortunately, the king had rebelled against God’s Word and died a leper (2 Kings 15:1–7; 2 Chro. 26). Now, Isaiah realized that though the nation had prospered materially, it was in terrible condition spiritually. Uzziah needed to be removed before Isaiah could encounter the full Impact of God’s Presence and Imprint of His Glory. His earthly focus was changed to an Upward Gaze. He saw the Lord for Who He really is: the living, authoritative, omnipotent, resplendent, revered, holy, and glorious King whom all of heaven ceaselessly serves and worships; the One who is worthy of all worship!

The upward gaze led to an Inward Gaze: In the presence of the holy God, we see ourselves for who we really are – sinners in need of cleansing. A true vision of God and His holiness always makes us realize our own sinfulness and inadequacy. Job saw God and repented: “Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Peter cried out, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man” when he witnessed Christ’s power, and realized Who Jesus really was (Lk. 5:8). In response, the Lord said: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men” (Lk.5:10b). He was transformed to become more useful to God than he had ever been.

By reason of his encounter with God’s Presence on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), self-righteous rabbi Saul saw that his own righteousness was but “garbage” next to the glory of Christ: “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil.3:8). He believed and became the Apostle Paul. When we as believers have a true experience of the Presence of the Lord, it does not make us proud; rather, it humbles and breaks us, to become more useful to Him. The Upward gaze, inspires an Inward gaze, to produce the Outward gaze. God’s Presence causes us to see the need and receive our commission and marching orders. All the examples show that we are not called to serve until we are cleansed!

Every time we come into Intimacy with God’s Presence, through Word, Prayer, or worship, we should experience the likenss of what Isaiah did. When he emerged from the temple encounter that day, he was no longer a mourner, but a missionary. He was not merely a spectator; he was a participant. God had equipped him to do the job: Isaiah had seen the Lord, he had seen himself, and he had seen the need. Knowing that God was on the throne, and that God had called and commissioned him, he was ready to fulfil his commission without veering or vacillating.