Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Isaiah 6:6, 7.
Isaiah had denounced the sin of others; but now he sees himself exposed to the same condemnation he had pronounced upon them. He had been satisfied with a cold, lifeless ceremony in his worship of God. He had not known this until the vision was given him of the Lord. How little now appeared his wisdom and talents as he looked upon the sacredness and majesty of the sanctuary. How unworthy he was! how unfitted for sacred service! …
The vision given to Isaiah represents the condition of God’s people in the last days. They are privileged to see by faith the work that is going forward in the heavenly sanctuary. “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” As they look by faith into the holy of holies, and see the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, they perceive that they are a people of unclean lips,—a people whose lips have often spoken vanity, and whose talents have not been sanctified and employed to the glory of God. Well may they despair as they contrast their own weakness and unworthiness with the purity and loveliness of the glorious character of Christ. But if they, like Isaiah, will receive the impression the Lord designs shall be made upon the heart, if they will humble their souls before God, there is hope for them. The bow of promise is above the throne, and the work done for Isaiah will be performed in them. God will respond to the petitions coming from the contrite heart.
We want the living coal from off the altar placed upon our lips. We want to hear the word spoken, “Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.”
The live coal is symbolical of purification. If it touches the lips, no impure word will fall from them.
Conflict and Courage p. 234
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Prayer Requests
—–Prayer request- Diana has her two nephews that were removed from their mom due to neglect. She asks that we pray for wisdom and guidance to raise them in the love of Jesus. Thank you. Jennifer
—–praise—I went to the oncologist yesterday and I am in remission! Thank you for your prayers. Carol
—–praise—Surgery on my leg was a success. Please continue to pray while I go through rehab and also use natural remedies for the cancer. Barbara
—–I have a dear freind who was like part of my family that passed away. please keep the family in your prayers that they will feel Gods hands around them while they face their loss of a dear brother. Charity
—–Please pray for Josie who has a brain tumor that is not responding to treatment. Roberta
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Dear Friends,
As we were taking a drive one summer day, I was looking at the trees alongside the road as I love trees. One particular tree was lush and green just like the rest except it had toppled over, perhaps because of recent heavy rains. As I passed by, I noticed that the tree had almost no roots. No wonder it had fallen.
How often we are like that tree. Until the rains of trial drench us, we look just like the “trees” around us. Our Dear Saviour gave a parable that illustrates this very fact. “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth, against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49
How many times when the storms of life beat upon us, we suddenly realize that we have been building on the sand instead of being “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Eph 2:20 Peter also speaks of our need to build our house upon the Solid Rock. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” 1 Peter 2:5, 6
As this song by Edward Mote declares:
“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus? blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand
His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”
May we stand firm with our roots planted deeply on Christ the Solid Rock that we shall not be moved in these perilous times is my prayer.
Rose