Isaiah 6:1–4
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!” – Isaiah 6:3
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2 Chronicles 26 tells us that King Uzziah was a righteous king. He sought and feared God, and God prospered him. He was a warrior, a builder, and a leader whose fame spread far. But in his strength Uzziah became proud—this became his downfalll. He entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar, which was a task only the priests could do. When confronted by the priests, he became angry, revealing his stubborn heart. God struck him with leprosy then and there, and he lived in isolation until the day he died.
So in the year that Uzziah died, Isaiah may have been feeling discouraged and hopeless that such great leader had had such a tragic end. This was when he saw this vision of heaven with the Lord sitting gloriously on his throne. This was a reminder that even if earthly kings failed, there is a heavenly King who is always enthroned, in control, and perfectly righteous.
The hymn “This is My Father’s World” expresses this same reflection in verse 3:
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!
The angels around him showed proper response to his greatness. Even sinless angels were but creatures who could not endure God’s radiance. With four wings they covered up their feet and eyes in humility, and with the two other wings they showed their readiness to serve. But more than just doing what God commanded, their primary occupation was to declare God’s holiness to one another. From this, we may learn that we serve God best when we are humbled in worship. “Veneration must be in larger proportion than vigour, adoration must exceed activity.” (Spurgeon)
Reflection:
Worship can lift our eyes above the hopeless world to comfort us because we have a perfect, eternal King. Worship can also give a proper perspective of who we are in the presence of God and how we must live.
Pause a while and let this statement sink in: The word and Spirit of the glorious King is with me right now.
How will this affect the way you live today?
Prayer:
Glorious and holy King, we are so humbled that such a great God like you would come and live in us. We are also comforted, knowing that in the midst of this chaotic world you are still in control. May we learn to respond appropriately to your holiness. May our worship precede and exceed our work for you, for you deserve our praise in every breath we take. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
2 Chronicles 26 tells us that King Uzziah was a righteous king. He sought and feared God, and God prospered him. He was a warrior, a builder, and a leader whose fame spread far. But in his strength Uzziah became proud—this became his downfalll. He entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar, which was a task only the priests could do. When confronted by the priests, he became angry, revealing his stubborn heart. God struck him with leprosy then and there, and he lived in isolation until the day he died.
So in the year that Uzziah died, Isaiah may have been feeling discouraged and hopeless that such great leader had had such a tragic end. This was when he saw this vision of heaven with the Lord sitting gloriously on his throne. This was a reminder that even if earthly kings failed, there is a heavenly King who is always enthroned, in control, and perfectly righteous.
The hymn “This is My Father’s World” expresses this same reflection in verse 3:
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!
The angels around him showed proper response to his greatness. Even sinless angels were but creatures who could not endure God’s radiance. With four wings they covered up their feet and eyes in humility, and with the two other wings they showed their readiness to serve. But more than just doing what God commanded, their primary occupation was to declare God’s holiness to one another. From this, we may learn that we serve God best when we are humbled in worship. “Veneration must be in larger proportion than vigour, adoration must exceed activity.” (Spurgeon)
Reflection:
Worship can lift our eyes above the hopeless world to comfort us because we have a perfect, eternal King. Worship can also give a proper perspective of who we are in the presence of God and how we must live.
Pause a while and let this statement sink in: The word and Spirit of the glorious King is with me right now.
How will this affect the way you live today?
Prayer:
Glorious and holy King, we are so humbled that such a great God like you would come and live in us. We are also comforted, knowing that in the midst of this chaotic world you are still in control. May we learn to respond appropriately to your holiness. May our worship precede and exceed our work for you, for you deserve our praise in every breath we take. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.