Letting Things Fade

HIGHLIGHT: Isaiah 6:1-4 - “It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.” ~ ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

EXPLAIN: Uzziah age 16 when he begin to rule Israel and reigned for 52 years. He started out as faithful to God and did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. He was able to come in at a time when things were at a low in the nation and turn it around. He was able to put money back into the treasury, he supplied and fortified the army and he pointed the people back to God.

Isaiah starts off saying that in the year that Isaiah died, the prophet sees God high and lifted up. Another way of expressing this is, in the year that our hope died in the one that brought financial security, physical security and spiritual peace - I saw God.

The prophet, in that moment, is reminded (and reminding) that God is the one who brings peace, hope and joy to our lives. He is the one we are look to throughout life.

APPLY: Every year, the team that gets a new coach has new hope that things will be better than ever. Every year that there are elections, the people voting put their hope in the pull of a lever to bring peace to the land. There are years that we hear about a defense budget being increased in America, and we continue to put hope that this will help us live safer lives.

Every time there is a wedding, the bride and groom look at each other believing that the other will fulfill all their dreams. After dealing with difficult bosses, it is always a joy to find someone that encourages and mentors helping you become more than you thought you could become. We, as people, have even been known to put great value on houses, cars, lands, gadgets, and more.

The problem is that we continue to be low on the scale of happiness among the world's nations. We continue to see a rise in mental illnesses, crime, fear based leaders, and even suicides. What is our problem when we have so much at our finger tips?

I was told years ago that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. What would happen if we started not looking so much at the opportunity for new leadership, new things to buy and new people to "hook up" with in life? The things we have tried physically, mentally and relationally are not helping us. What if we took time to look up and see God?

That is what Isaiah was trying to express. Uzziah started off well but ended in disgrace. As much hope and peace as he had brought, it only came as he followed God. Instead of placing your hope in this King, Isaiah was reminded and reminding the people that their hope is always found in the One who loves us, cares for us, provides for us, walks with us and even will carry us when we are to weak.

RESPONSE: Lord, my eyes can get way to distracted thinking that safety and security is found in money, in people and even in armies. Help me to stay focused on you, and as I do may the cares of this world fade into the background!