Humility
Sometimes, we start the week trying to do all the things in our own strength. We try to control the week, our tasks, schedule, etc. Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed or inadequate. We can feel defeated before the week even starts. Sometimes, we start the week with pride. We think our ideas need to be the ones taken at work, that we are always right, and so on. The problem is, these aren’t sustainable options, and they aren’t how God has asked us to live.
Isaiah 6 gives us a better way to go about our weeks, humility. I’m not talking about putting yourself down in a self-deprecating way or bowing to others. I am talking about remembering who is truly the Most High, and it is not us. God is the Most High, His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. When we recognize His position, we get a more realistic picture of our position. We realize that we are not God, nor can we be, nor should we be. So, how does Isaiah 6 help us do this?
When we recognize His position, we get a more realistic picture of our position. We realize that we are not God, nor can we be, nor should we be.
Well, chapter 6 is all about a vision Isaiah has of the Lord, and his vision starts where I think we all need to start, seeing the Lord high and exalted, seated on the throne. The first two verses set the scene of God on the throne surrounded by seraphim, and then verse 3 says, “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!’”
God’s glory and holiness has filled the temple. Isaiah sees God’s perfection and sees Him in His rightful place, on the throne. After we see God’s holiness, it is a lot easier to see our unholiness. Do you have any white tennis shoes that you’ve had for a little while? If so, are they still perfectly white or are they dirtier now? Over time, as our shoes become dirty, we don’t always recognize how dirty they are because it happened slowly. However, if you bought a brand new pair of shoes that were perfectly white, and held up your old shoes, the impact of how dirty your shoes are would really hit you.
When you hold up your imperfect shoes to your perfect shoes, the imperfections become more apparent. That is what has happened here with Isaiah. He has seen the perfect Father in all His glory, and it is now more apparent than ever how imperfect Isaiah really is. That’s why he then says in verse 5, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
As a result of seeing God’s holiness, Isaiah felt broken because of his own sin. Next to God’s holiness, Isaiah knew he was unworthy. This is not meant to shame us or make us think that we might as well give up since we can never compare to God’s holiness. Because the good news is, the story does not end here. This part of the story is to show just how holy God is, and to show how much we need Him because we are not.
Humility here is not just about putting ourselves down, but about lifting God up to where He belongs, on the throne. Then, we can see ourselves more clearly and can allow Him to cleanse us from our unrighteousness. You see, God does not leave Isaiah in despair. Look what happens next, “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, ‘See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven” Isaiah 6:6-7.
Isaiah’s humility led to God cleansing him and purifying him with grace. Isaiah, in humility, lifted God on high and admitted his own need for the Lord. God forgave him, gave him grace, and then purified him. The cleansing did not come from Isaiah’s own strength, it came from depending on the Lord and allowing Him to purify. If we can be like Isaiah, receive forgiveness and cleansing in humility and depend more on the Lord, He will renew our purpose. After Isaiah is purified, God asks who He should send to His people, and Isaiah responds, “Here I am. Send me.” The Lord sends Isaiah with a message for His people, one that they will not want to hear but is necessary.
The cleansing did not come from Isaiah’s own strength, it came from depending on the Lord and allowing Him to purify.
The purpose God had for Isaiah was not an easy one, but after this vision, Isaiah is more prepared. Maybe this week already feels heavy for you and you’re not sure how you can manage it. Maybe frustrations and stress are already arising and you’re trying to find the control needed to carry it. The good news is, you do not need to strive, you do not need to be perfect, and you do not need to carry everything.
Start with putting God on high, bow down before Him, and then let HIM lift you up. Isaiah’s ability to live out the purpose God called him to came after humility and purification. God has a purpose for you, and His strength is available to you; it starts with humility.
Where do you need to acknowledge and remember God’s holiness and power? Where do you need to surrender your control or confess your sin? Where do you need to be purified? Where do you need to invite God’s power into your weakness? Bring these questions to the Lord in prayer and see what He wants to do in and for you.
It’s not easy to admit our shortcomings, but God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12 that His power is made perfect in our weakness. God’s Kingdom is an upside down Kingdom, meaning, if we want to be lifted up, if we want to be strong, we must first lift Him and admit our areas of weakness. He will in turn give us His strength and lift us up in His timing.
As you go through your week, be encouraged that God is with you and He can provide everything you need. Be encouraged that there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We all need more of the Lord, myself included. You are not alone, and there is grace for you. We are all Holy in Progress.
With love,
Erica