Put Me In, Coach!
April 11, 2019
Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?" I said, "Here I am. Send me." Isaiah 6:8
Isaiah lived in a culture that was broken and hurting just like ours. They had “unclean lips” and were subject to excesses and addictions and sins that were causing them to crumble as a community. God came to Isaiah in the middle of a national crisis, updating him on the crisis. Isaiah let God’s contact with him immediately drive him to personal revival. Isaiah not only saw that his community and nation needed renewal, he saw that he did as well. He confessed his own sins and acknowledged his personal need for God.
God did what He does whenever a person surrenders and opens himself/herself up to Him. He cleaned up Isaiah’s heart and perspective and set Isaiah’s heart on fire. Isaiah’s personal revival put him in position to hear from God. God spoke up about the need of Isaiah’s community. He said these hurting and broken people needed a messenger; someone who would go on behalf of God and deliver God’s message.
Think of all the excuses and even some legitimate reasons Isaiah could have used to dismiss the call and urge someone else to do it. He was new at this himself. He had just recently had his own “unclean lips.” He was “hometown.” Everyone knows that makes a person subject to extra criticism. It was likely dangerous. Why couldn’t he just pray about it and help find someone else to do it?
Isaiah’s reaction was immediate and affirmative. God didn’t even have to ask him to do it. He just stated the need, and Isaiah’s revived, renewed spirit responded. “Put ME in! Here am I! Send me!”
Personal revival does it every time. When we are renewed and revived, our connection with God enables us to see as He does, and our compassion and courage rise to the occasion.
- What does my response to God concerning the needs of my community say about my personal state of revival?
- Pray for the courage to go!