Isaiah 6:8
As I started reading the book of Isaiah recently, those are the words that keep coming to my mind. Isaiah was a prophet of God, and he had a vision of God seated on the throne in His temple. As Isaiah was in the presence of the holiness of God, he was devastated by the awareness of his own unholiness. God mercifully provided forgiveness for Isaiah, and then asked the question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” And Isaiah’s response was “Here I am. Send me!!” Isaiah’s heart was changed as he realized God’s love and forgiveness.
I’ve been thinking about Isaiah’s heart and what made him willing to say those words of commitment in response to God. He obviously was in God’s presence, and he knew God’s voice. Isaiah trusted Him so much that he was willing to go wherever God was calling him to go. Isaiah expressed the same desire that Jesus claimed in John 5:30: “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
So that makes me think about my own heart. Do I want to know God’s plans for me? Am I willing to do whatever He asks me to do for Him? For so many years, I was “going through the motions of being a Christian” but did not have a personal relationship with Him. I’m so thankful that God has changed my heart. I’ve learned to spend time with Him daily, and I ask Him to show me His plan for each day. I do love Him, and I do want to live in the center of His will. I remember that He is my Shepherd, He knows me by name and calls me to follow Him. He loves me and desires that relationship with Him.
How do I know what God’s plans are for me? Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you.” So, I just need to be asking and willing to follow Him wherever He leads.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds me that “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” I love that verse! God created us to do specific things that He has gifted us to do for His purpose and His glory. I experience true joy and peace when I choose to live in His plan!
Am I willing to respond to God as Isaiah did? Yes! I’m learning to spend the first moments of the day with God, not just praying and reading His Word, but taking time to listen. I ask for His will and trust His Spirit working through me to accomplish it.
Here are the words of a prayer I copied a long time ago. I don’t remember where I found it, but it expresses a heart that is fully committed to the Lord and His will. I want this to be the prayer of my heart. I’ll share a few lines of it here:
Lord, I’m Yours… and whatever the cost may be, may Your will be done in my life. I’m not here on earth to do my own thing, or to seek my own fulfillment or my own glory. I’m not here to indulge my desires…I’m here to please You… You alone are worthy to be my Lord and Master… I’m here to love You, to obey You, to glorify You. O my Beloved, may I be a joy to You!
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Can you identify with Isaiah’s response to God? What is the evidence in your life?
If not, what would keep you from responding that way?
God hears and answers prayers for a changed heart and can give us the desire to be fully committed to Him if we ask in faith.