Here I Am! Send Me!

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)

Isaiah 6 begins with the words, “In the year that King Uzziah died…” Uzziah had ruled Judah for fifty-two years. During his reign, the nation enjoyed military strength and economic prosperity. The Bible explains the secret of his success: “as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper” (2 Chronicles 26:5, ESV).

However, after becoming powerful, Uzziah grew proud. He entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense, even though only the priests were permitted to perform that duty. Because of his disobedience, he was struck with leprosy and lived in isolation for the rest of his life.

The death of a king who had ruled for so long would certainly bring great change. It was in these circumstances that Isaiah received a vision: the Lord was sitting on a throne, high and lifted up. Earthly kings may come and go, but the Lord continues to reign.

We, too, may experience seasons when the things we have long relied on begin to falter. Our jobs become uncertain, our health declines, or those we love are no longer with us. In the midst of such circumstances, we are reminded that the Lord remains sovereign and worthy of our trust.

Through Isaiah’s encounter with the Lord and the description of the seraphim serving Him, we can reflect on three things.

1. Revering God’s Holiness

The seraphim called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3, ESV).

God is holy. There is no sin or evil in Him. Even the seraphim covered their faces in His presence. This picture reminds us to approach God with reverence, not carelessly.

At the sound of their cry, the thresholds of the temple shook, and the house was filled with smoke. Isaiah stood in the presence of the glorious and mighty God.

Knowing God’s holiness should lead us to examine our lives. Are our words honest? Do we treat others with love? Is there any sin we continue to tolerate?

God desires more than our regular participation in church activities. He wants our daily lives to honor Him as well. Worship is not only about what we do at church, but also about how we live each day.

2. Humbly Confessing Our Sin

When Isaiah saw God’s glory, he did not boast about himself. Instead, he cried out, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips…” (Isaiah 6:5, ESV).

Isaiah recognized his sinfulness. He did not compare himself with others to make himself look better. Before the holy God, he honestly acknowledged his condition.

This is humility: having the courage to admit our wrongdoing and recognizing our need for God’s forgiveness.

Yet God did not leave Isaiah overwhelmed by guilt. One of the seraphim took a burning coal from the altar and touched his lips with it. The seraph then declared that Isaiah’s guilt had been taken away and his sin atoned for. That forgiveness was a gift of God’s grace, not the result of Isaiah’s efforts.

As believers, we also receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we do not serve to prove that we are better or more gifted than others. The abilities to speak, sing, play music, and use various other skills are certainly useful. Yet none of these gives us a reason to boast.

We serve because God has loved us, forgiven us, and given us the opportunity to be used by Him.

3. Answering God’s Call with Obedience

After receiving forgiveness, Isaiah heard the Lord ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

Isaiah answered, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8, ESV).

He was willing to offer himself to God even before knowing the full extent of the task ahead. His encounter with God and the forgiveness he had received moved him to answer that call.

Our obedience, too, should flow from love and gratitude, not merely from a sense of obligation or a desire for praise. As we recognize the greatness of Christ’s love, we learn to say, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Serving God does not always mean standing behind a pulpit or traveling to a distant place. We can serve by supporting our families, working honestly, helping our neighbors, listening to someone who is struggling, or taking part in church ministry according to our abilities and circumstances.

Perhaps we still feel afraid or inadequate. We can bring all of that to God and ask for His help. A willingness to obey can begin with one small step we can take today.

Conclusion

Isaiah’s encounter with God teaches us to revere His holiness, humbly confess our sin, and answer His call with obedience.

The God who called Isaiah is the same God we worship today. When the circumstances around us change, He still reigns. When we recognize our sin, we come to Him seeking forgiveness. When He calls, we can learn to answer in faith: “Here I am, Lord. Send me!” Amen!

A WILLINGNESS TO OBEY CAN BEGIN WITH ONE SMALL STEP WE CAN TAKE TODAY.