In my first Advent blog post, we could relate to Isaiah finding himself struggling in turbulent times as we do today – in the world around him, in his faith walk with God, for his future – what lay ahead?
Then God stepped into Isaiah’s reality – and Isaiah was confronted with God’s holiness and glory.
There was Hope – God Himself – but it was still unsettling.
So what was Isaiah’s reaction when he found himself in God’s presence?
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I 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 6:4-5 ESV)
How would you and I have responded if we were standing in the same room with Isaiah, with the seraphim praising God, surrounded by smoke, and the voice of God causing an earthquake in the building?
Probably just like Isaiah – confessing my sin and sinfulness before God, completely overwhelmed by His holiness and glory, admitting my inadequacy to even be in His presence, much less serve Him.
So what happened next?
- Is this where God swooped in and punished Isaiah for all his wrongdoing? No.
- Did God send Isaiah out of His presence because of His holiness and Isaiah’s sinfulness? No.
- Did God require Isaiah to do something to earn the right to be in God’s presence? No.
Let’s see what the text says:
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
(Isaiah 6:6-7 ESV)
Forgiveness. FORGIVENESS!!
God initiated the action to make Isaiah right (and righteous) in His sight.
And what did Isaiah have at that point?
Reconciliation by God, resulting in peace with God – the Creator, the Lord of the universe.
And thus, the story of Advent – God’s Son, Jesus, coming to earth as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), not just for Himself, but offering us the same peace with God through faith in Him (Romans 5:1).
Friend, do you have peace with God?
If so, how has that changed your life?
If not, what’s holding you back from accepting His gift of forgiveness and peace through faith in His Son?
~kevin
PS – in my next post, we’ll see what effect of having peace with God had on Isaiah’s life!
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kevin lotz 
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