“He touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’”
Isaiah 6:7
If the guilt of our sin is removed in the eyes of God, who are we to remain mired in its muck? So often, we live in a state of shame, as if our sin is not atoned for. Our misery engulfs us. Again and again we resort to self-righteous attempts to disguise our sin and shame—much like our first parents did with their self-made garments in the Garden of Eden.
When Isaiah was taken up in a vision to see the Lord in His holiness, it was quite natural for Isaiah to fear death. He knew well that no sinner could possibly behold God and live. But God beautifully pictures His grace by meeting the self-described source of Isaiah’s sin (his mouth) with a purifying object. Isaiah did not need to fear—his “guilt is taken away” and his “sin atoned for.”
He didn’t then cry out, “O Lord, are you sure? I mean, I still feel so bad.” No, he declares his willingness to go forth in service to his merciful God: “Send me!” Isaiah pleads. If God has removed our guilt, then we too can stand firmly in His grace. We are saved to serve and safe to go out in His strength.
When Isaiah was taken up in a vision to see the Lord in His holiness, it was quite natural for Isaiah to fear death. He knew well that no sinner could possibly behold God and live. But God beautifully pictures His grace by meeting the self-described source of Isaiah’s sin (his mouth) with a purifying object. Isaiah did not need to fear—his “guilt is taken away” and his “sin atoned for.”
He didn’t then cry out, “O Lord, are you sure? I mean, I still feel so bad.” No, he declares his willingness to go forth in service to his merciful God: “Send me!” Isaiah pleads. If God has removed our guilt, then we too can stand firmly in His grace. We are saved to serve and safe to go out in His strength.
Scripture Focus
Isaiah 6:1-8
Insight
We bring our wounds before Him, not looking for forgiveness but having already found it.
Bible In A Year
- 2 Chronicles 17-18
- Psalm 16
- Matthew 23