The Change that Matters

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Religious activity, in and of itself, does not change a life. Jesus made that very clear when He told a group of people one day, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). “Pure in heart” is another way of saying you have encountered God and dealt with the sin issue in your life. Once you have had that encounter with God, your life will never be the same.

There is an outstanding illustration of this in the life of Isaiah. Something happened, which changed his life forever. Concerned with the death of the good King Uzziah, he went to the temple one day. While there, he became aware of the awesome majesty of God. Not only God, but other heavenly beings were present also. But it was God’s presence that made Isaiah aware of His sinfulness. Isaiah engaged God in a conversation in which he admitted how sinful he and his people were.

One of the spirit beings there took a burning ember from the altar of sacrifice and touched his lips with it, symbolizing the cleansing of his sin (like the sacrificial animal that would have been placed on the burning embers of the altar for the sin of the one offering it).

Instantly, Isaiah was aware of a heavenly conversation about finding someone worthy to be God’s messenger to the people of Israel. “I’ll do it!” he cried out (my loose translation of Isaiah 9:8 “…lo, here am I, send me.)  

It was only after his cleansing that he was aware of godly concerns. Likewise, after his cleansing he was ready to make himself available in the service of the LORD God. When our sins are cleansed—when our hearts are pure—there is nothing to hinder our relationship and service with God. And that’s the change that matters.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" (Isaiah 6:8)