“WHO WILL GO…?”

The book of Isaiah is a very fascinating book to read. It speaks volumes about, the heart of God; the gross sinfulness and wickedness of His chosen people; the righteous justice of God, which judges everyone who sins, fairly and equally; and above all, God’s care for the sinful and fallen world, and the promise of a Saviour. “Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. Judah has sinned; the surrounding nations have sinned; the whole earth has sinned. Judgment must come, for God cannot allow such blatant sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Saviour and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown.” [NKJV’s Introduction to Isaiah]

For our meditation this morning, let us look at Isaiah 6:8, one of the most familiar verses of the Bible. The context is the vision prophet Isaiah had, and the LORD, having a conversation with His prophet, about a very important matter.
– “8…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.” – Isaiah 6:8

Here in these few words we see the heart of God, His care, His concern, and His love for the fallen, rebellious and evil people. God wants someone to be His ambassador [2 Corinthians 5:20] His voice, His representative, and bring the “word of reconciliation” [2 Corinthians 5:17-19] the Good News of great joy [Luke 2:10-11] to the whole world.

We also see, in this verse, the heart of Isaiah. He responds to God’s call immediately, almost as if he was not thinking about it at all. Nay, my friends. Isaiah’s heart was so finely tuned to his God that, he did not need time to think and analyse it. He knew exactly what that call meant, and therefore Isaiah decided to do, what his LORD and his God wanted, because it is important and close to God’s heart. What sensitive heart should it be, that knows the heart of God, and is ready to do, what God wants, without any hint of a hesitation? Do we have such a heart?

Now, if God were to ask you and me this same question, what would be our answer? Would we respond like Isaiah did? Or, would we give excuses to somehow avoid it?  Would we disqualify ourselves, by reasoning they we are on the wrong side of the age, and thus count ourselves unfit. 

Would we, if not ourselves, then consider to send our children? Or does it sting us terribly? Oh, my children; what, into Christian ministry? Oh no, it is not a great career option. My child is brilliant and bright, he can go into software, or into anything equally comfortable and well paying. Is this what is going on, on our minds? I don’t know. I am simply throwing the question at all of us, beginning with myself. What would we do, and how would we respond, if the LORD Himself were to ask us this question? 

He is in fact asking us this morning. THINK ABOUT IT dear brothers and sisters. The work of Christian ministry is God’s work. No other work can be more honourable than to work for the LORD God Almighty. Christian ministry has eternal and permanent consequences.
– “God save us from living in comfort while sinners are sinking into hell!” – Charles H. Spurgeon

What is on our minds dear friends? What are we thinking about God’s call? Do we want to be His ambassadors? Is that truly a choice to be chosen, or is it something that a disciple of Christ does automatically? Are we willing to go for God? Are we willing to send our children into God’s ministry? May the LORD help us to respond, just like Isaiah did. May we choose to do what is right, and that which is good. Even so, the LORD help us.