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Article Archive |
2008
WORSHIP GOD!
by Jim Morris
Ever wonder why we sometimes fail to serve God well? The answer is simple. We first need to come into God’s presence to worship Him in spirit and truth. Then, God can empower us to serve Him in boldness and holiness. Consider the call of Isaiah the prophet. God brought Isaiah into His presence before sending him out to prophesy to Israel. God blessed the prophet through a simple process that is available to us as well.
WORSHIP GOD IN AWE. Reflect on who God is. He is the Exalted One! Isaiah painted the scene of his calling with enraptured brush strokes. He said, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke” (Isaiah 6:1-4).
WORSHIP GOD IN FAITH. Can you see what Isaiah saw? God brought this man into His awesome presence. He asks us to do the same, if we are willing. He woos us to be still and know that He alone is God. Come into His presence to worship Him with awe and wonder and amazement!
WORSHIP GOD IN SUBMISSION. Isaiah recognized who he was in comparison to who God is. It humbled him into submission. Isaiah said, “‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’” (Isaiah 6:5). The prophet tasted the bitterness of his sins while drinking in the sweetness of God’s holiness. Our filthiness is also revealed in the light of God’s purity. We should cry out like Isaiah, “Woe is me! I am lost.” However, if we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up.
WORSHIP GOD IN REDEMPTION. It was God’s initiative to cleanse Isaiah of his sins so that he could enjoy full redemption. Isaiah said, “Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out’” (Isaiah 6:6-7). God provided His servant the means of redemption. God also provides our means for redemption. He washes away our filth through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect and holy life. He became the perfect and holy sacrifice on the Cross to take away our sins. In baptism we contact Jesus’ blood as we imitate His death, burial and resurrection. Just like the coal that touched Isaiah’s lips, the waters of baptism serve as our holy instrument of cleansing through faith (1 Peter 3:21-22).
WORSHIP GOD IN SERVICE. The proper response to grace is gratitude. Thus, in response to God’s grace, Isaiah was moved to action and service. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8). Coming into God’s presence filled Isaiah with thankfulness and empowered him to action.
God desires that we participate in His plans for redeeming the world. Our proper response to God’s grace is to serve Him in every way we can. Therefore, fall down on your knees before the Awesome God! He alone is worthy. Enjoy power and purpose in life as only He can provide. “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).
05-14-08
#20
