Verse 1 - In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
In verses 1-4, Isaiah describes the unbelievable glimpse God gives him of God's glory as the chorus of heaven worships and praises the "Lord of hosts." As I look into God's Word, or as I look out an airplane window into the massive white clouds, or as I stand on the beach beholding the waves that never cease, I get glimpses of God's majesty, glory, and omnipotence.
My response is often like Isaiah's in verse 5: Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. His holiness reminds me of how sinful I am.
But praise God, I don't have to stay on my face, wallowing in my own worthlessness!
See what happens to Isaiah in verses 6 and 7! 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.
I, too, have been forgiven! In 1970, I came to Jesus with the faith of a little child, seeking forgiveness and restoration. As a coal from the altar cleansed Isaiah, God reached down and touched my heart with the sacrifice of Jesus, taking away my iniquities! And He continues to go with me, forgiving me and loving me.
Having been cleansed from my sin, my ears were opened to hear the same voice that Isiah heard! Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? (Isa. 6:8a) The Lord of the hosts of heaven wants me to represent Him and his army! How can I refuse? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (Isa. 6:8b)
And what is His first command to Isaiah? GO, and tell this people... (Isa. 6:9) Isaiah was commanded to go and tell a rebellious nation of impending judgment. I am compelled, as a disciple of Christ, to take up Jesus's command to go and tell my world a similar message. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Whether they listen or not, I must do as Isaiah, and tell them of impending judgment as well as of the infinite blessings of obedience.