August 27

“I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit…”  —ISAIAH 57:15

Isaiah was a prophet who began his ministry in what was probably the latter part of King Uzziah’s reign. Uzziah was a man who sought after God, and God gave him victory and success. He was a role model for the youth of the nation, and quite possibly a hero to Isaiah. But, sadly, he faltered. 2 Chronicles 26:16 says, “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.” Only a priest was permitted that privilege, and while Uzziah raged at the priests who were trying to stop him, God struck him with leprosy. He lived out the rest of his days in seclusion.

Isaiah, Chapter Six begins, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted…” Before Isaiah could experience God in His holiness, an obstacle had to be removed. The above verse suggests it was Uzziah. Because of the status Uzziah held, it is possible that Isaiah’s dealings with God at this stage were second-hand. He looked to Uzziah as the man of God. 

It can happen very easily that we look to other people as being an intermediary between God and ourselves. Part of God’s purpose is, of course, that we spiritually nurture one another, but until we recognize that we have direct access to God with an expectancy of Him speaking to us and working in our lives, all we’ll have is a second-hand relationship.

Another possibility is that Isaiah was not mesmerized, but disillusioned. Maybe he did know about Uzziah’s downfall, and had not only been disappointed by him, but it had shaken his own confidence. Many people have turned away from God because they’ve been hurt by someone who had been a spiritual inspiration to them. Ironically, the bigger problem usually comes from “churched” people, and the sad thing is that usually the one turning away never really knew God to begin with, but has only known the church.

When Isaiah met with God, his view of God changed; his view of himself changed and his view of his work and the world changed. We can’t orchestrate a meeting like this. We first need to come in humility and repentance before God, because it is in the contrite heart that God makes His home. As He does, our minds and hearts are changed and molded in a deeply personal way. What becomes a priority is the will of God taking place in our lives, and for that we need to do business with God directly.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the deep fulfillment and joy I have in my relationship with You. May I always look to You and You alone.

TO REFLECT UPON: Have I been influenced more by someone else’s relationship with God rather than my own?