Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Worshipping Community

 Isaiah 6:1-8

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

The first chapter of the book of Isaiah talks about people of Israel who became mere ritualistic worshippers, forsaking the true meaning and purpose of worship for which they were chosen and set apart.  This chapter reflects the pain of God‘s heart about the people who forgot their master and neglected to honor and obey Him.  However the heavenly vision that was given to Isaiah described in Chapter 6, was a call to His people to come back to the true worship that God has desired. The message God gave to Isaiah is relevant to the worshipping community even today, when we may be at risk for repeating the mistakes of the Israelites.
 The Sovereignty of God: In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the seraphim worshipping the Lord who was seated on a throne, high and lifted up with train of His robe filling the temple. While the Kings and leaders on this earth deserve the due respect, the focus and center of worship must be the everlasting King where his supreme authority is accepted and he is exalted. The tragic end of King Uzziah is a reminder of consequence of rebelliousness while the reverence and submission of seraphim in worshipping God is the example that is given to us to follow.              
The Holiness of God: The proclamation of Seraphim of the nature of the Holy God and his glory that filled the whole earth reveals the need for those who are called to worship Him to be set apart.  Isaiah’s cry regarding himself and the people around him having the unclean lips was an admission of the corrupted nature within (Mat 12:34, James 3:9-12) and the desire for purification that he could not achieve himself.  During this Lent season, the scriptures on we meditate constantly remind us about the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of Calvary which can purify us and make us worthy to stand before this God in Christ Jesus.                          
The Commission of God:  The same person, who cried of his unclean lips, has been given the responsibility to use his cleansed lips to speak the Holy words of God to the people around him. For the people who are set apart for God, there is a commission to be his ambassadors with a ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:17-20). God gives that call to each one of us, not limited within the four walls of our church building but wherever it is needed, to bring all to the experience of true worship.

Prayer: Lord, help us to worship in true knowledge of your sovereignty. Thank you the cleansing power of your blood to purge all our sins to make us worthy to stand before you and serve you. Amen

Abey Cherian, St. Thomas MTC, NY



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