We were very privileged to stay at Mount Lofty House, a historic site in Mount Lofty last month. The Mount Lofty Summit is in the Adelaide Hills, about 15km from the Adelaide CBD. Rising over 710 metres above sea level, the summit is the spot for a grand panoramic view of Adelaide and the unique skyline of the city. On clear days, it has been noted that even Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula, where we live can be seen. Truly the person who named this summit did not have to venture too far to arrive at the appropriate name. As I was seated at breakfast the first morning and appreciating the splendour from where I was, the reminder of the Creator added a sweet savour to what my eyes could behold. The breathtaking sight reminded me of Isaiah and his encounter with his Lord: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
(Isaiah 57:15) Amazing! Immediately our whole being is drawn to His unmistakable indescribable attributes; a character which escapes our often-limited ability to enunciate with accuracy this High and Lofty One. All we can do is focus our thoughts and appreciation of our Most High God through the vision of Isaiah and His already precise words. Isaiah was one person who had this unique privilege of seeing the Lord: 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. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 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. 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 .
(Isaiah 6:1-7)
The impact that this had on the prophet can be our experience as well as we endeavour to worship and serve this Almighty and supremely High and Lofty God. We are encouraged to do the following:
SEE
The heavenly perception is recorded for us, both in Isaiah 6 and 55.
◦ He is High ◦ He is Lifted up Truly an exclusive vision as we note a mortal, created being who is given the most exclusive honour to see! Not just anyone, but the Supreme One ◦ His Train filled the temple Whatever was surrounding Him: the attire, the presence, awe and what radiated, filled the whole arena and view that Isaiah had. Isaiah 6:3 ◦ He is Holy, Holy, Holy This is the essential character of our God. As a depraved and fallen race, we cannot possibly expand on this! In Isaiah we also have this assurance that this High and Lofty One also dwells with the chosen ones who are humble enough to turn to Him ..I dwell in the high and holy place , with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
(Isaiah 57:15)
But....how do we attain this?
SURRENDER This Lord whom Isaiah saw was the Lord Jesus Christ as the apostle John reminds us. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
(John 12:41)
Isaiah had a vision of the pre-incarnate Christ. Even before He came to earth as the man Christ Jesus. Going into the presence and dwelling place of this High and Lofty one is only through the one person God has appointed-His Son. 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)
The Lord Jesus himself states very clearly that he is the only way.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
It behoves us turn to the Son and surrender our life and our all to this Jesus.
Before this ever happens we will be made to realise our unworthiness and our sinfulness as even Isaiah did.
In Isaiah 6:5 we read these words:
◦ Woe
◦ Undone
◦ Unclean lips
◦ Dwell amongst the unclean
This is all in dire contrast to what has been just revealed to him about the High and Lofty One. Unworthy and yet the grace of God experienced by the prophet in this unique, once-in-a lifetime vision.
This miraculous transaction takes place in the life of the repentant sinner who turns to the Lord Jesus Christ. He cleanses us of our sin and replaces this with His own character: His holiness, righteousness and humility (Isaiah 6:6,7). This act of surrender is only the beginning of a life of walking with the Lord in total obedience and surrender. Only then can we declare this truth and speak for Him as Isaiah could even as we look at the sequence of events in Isaiah 6.
SPEAK Isaiah boldly records all that he sees and hears and continues to speak His worth in his writings. And indeed we are the blessed recipients of this high honour given to the servant of God as we read about and appreciate this unique encounter with the Living God in His awesome presence. Sadly 'awesome' has been used very loosely today when it should only be reserved for the One Isaiah saw! As a people who have received this Lord Jesus, our call is to speak for this Lord and testify of His salvation And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
(Matthew 28:18-20) Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then said I, "Here am I. Send me.
(Isaiah 6:8) Before this happens our life has to reflect this God of Isaiah in our testimony and the hope which we reflect because of our union and fellowship with the High and Lofty One. Let’s worship the High and lofty one: O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Daniel James