R³ Devotional - Day 191

Isaiah 6 describes the prophet Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne and his commissioning as a prophet.

REAL LIFE PRINCIPLES:
Encountering God’s holiness reveals His majesty and glory, which demands worship and humility. It reminds us that God is not a casual figure but the sovereign Creator whose presence fills the earth. 

Isaiah sees the Lord “high and exalted” with seraphim proclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-3). The threefold repetition of “holy” emphasizes God’s perfect, transcendent nature.

Isaiah’s response to the vision is despair: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5).

God’s perfection exposes our flaws, whether in speech, thought, or action. This principle humbles us, showing that no one can stand before God on their own merit.
 
A seraph touches Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal from the altar, declaring, “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:6-7).

This act symbolizes God’s initiative in providing forgiveness, prefiguring Christ’s atoning work. It reassures us that God doesn’t leave us in our guilt but offers restoration.

RELEVANT LIFE APPLICATIONS:

• God’s holiness is His defining attribute, evoking awe and reverence.

• In light of God’s holiness, our unworthiness is clear.

• God mercifully cleanses those who acknowledge their sin.

READY ACTION STEPS:

• Approach God with reverence, recognizing His unmatched greatness in our daily lives.

• Do self-examination: What “unclean” areas of our lives need addressing when we consider God’s purity?

• Seek God’s forgiveness confidently, trusting in His grace to purify us.