Have you ever wondered what it would be like to come face-to-face with God’s holiness? In Isaiah chapter 6, we witness one of the most dramatic encounters between God and human in all of Scripture. This powerful moment transformed not just Isaiah’s life, but gives us profound insights into what happens when we truly experience God’s presence.
The Difference Between Knowing About God and Experiencing God
Let’s be honest – many of us are content with simply knowing about God. We attend church, read our Bibles, and say our prayers. But Isaiah’s story challenges us to go deeper. Before his remarkable vision, Isaiah was already a prophet who knew God, but everything changed when he experienced God’s glory firsthand.
Think about it this way: You can read every book about parenting, but nothing compares to actually becoming a parent. The same applies to our relationship with God – there’s a vast difference between theological knowledge and personal encounter.
Three Phases of Divine Encounter
1. Meeting God’s Holiness
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” – Isaiah 6:1
Isaiah’s vision wasn’t just a mental picture – it was an overwhelming encounter with divine reality. The temple shook, smoke filled the air, and magnificent angels called out “Holy, holy, holy!” This wasn’t a gentle Sunday morning experience; it was a reality-altering moment that showed Isaiah who God truly is.
2. Transformed by His Presence
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” – Isaiah 6:5
Here’s something profound: When Isaiah saw God’s holiness, his first response wasn’t excitement – it was deep awareness of his own sinfulness. But God didn’t leave him there. Through a dramatic act of cleansing with a burning coal, God transformed Isaiah’s unworthiness into worthiness.
3. Commissioned for Purpose
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'” – Isaiah 6:8
This is where many of us stop short. We’re happy to experience God’s presence and receive His forgiveness, but what about His commission? Isaiah’s response wasn’t “Send someone else” or “I’ll think about it.” His immediate response was “Here am I. Send me!”
The Challenge: Moving Beyond Comfortable Christianity
Let me be direct: God isn’t looking for spiritual spectators. Every genuine encounter with God’s holiness should lead to transformation and mission. Consider these challenging questions:
1. Are you satisfied with knowing about God, or are you actively seeking to experience His presence?
2. When was the last time you were truly aware of God’s holiness?
3. How have you responded to God’s call to serve?
What Victory Really Means
Here’s a perspective-shifting truth: Victory isn’t measured by visible results. God told Isaiah his message would largely be rejected, yet this wasn’t failure – it was faithfulness. True victory is found in obedience to Christ, not in visible success.
“Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'” – Isaiah 6:9
Your Next Step
I want to challenge you this week: Set aside time specifically to encounter God’s holiness. Don’t just read about Him or study Him – seek to experience His presence. Here’s how:
1. Find a quiet place without distractions
2. Read Isaiah 6 slowly and imaginatively
3. Ask God to reveal His holiness to you
4. Be ready to respond to His calling
Remember, no one remains the same after a genuine encounter with God’s holiness. Whether you’re watching this on YouTube or reading this blog post, the question remains: Are you ready for God to surprise you with His holiness?
Join us at ICA Macau as we continue our series on “God’s Surprises.” Whether in person or online, let’s pursue God’s presence together.
How has God’s holiness impacted your life? Share your experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more inspiring content.