Our Scripture meditation is based on Isaiah 6:1-3, the start of the Old Testament reading for next week.
[1] In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. [2] Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. [3] And one called to another and said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Isaiah’s powerful experience seeing God serves as a reminder to us: God is so much more than our divine helper in daily life.
We gravitate towards Scripture passages that describe God’s personal concern for us. It is comforting to know that God intervenes in daily life. We know this from passages such as 1 Peter 3:21-22, where we’re told baptism now saves us. Or Ephesians 2:8-10, which says God has planned good works for us in advance. This week’s epistle lesson, Hebrews 2:18, tells us Jesus can help us when we’re tempted.
However, focusing solely on our Good Shepherd tending to our daily lives is not spiritually healthy. We do well to consider Isaiah’s vision. God is enthroned in full glory, surrounded by angels. What if we had this vision? What if God enabled us to survive seeing him enthroned? Our response to such a vision would surely emulate what we find in Isaiah: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…”
God does not desire to strike fear in our hearts. We would be lost if not for Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet Jesus lives and reigns. Therefore, thinking of the Lord enthroned in heaven is to inspire within us reverence and awe and worship. Such responses are holy and honorable.
May our Lord develop within us gratitude for his intervening in our daily lives and reverence because he is the King of Kings and Lord and Lords.
Kevin Wilson 360 