THOSE WITH EARS TO HEAR 

I take my text from Isaiah Chapter 6. This was the subject matter of our Bible Study tonight at Victory Fellowship Church.

Just as the name Immanuel means “God with Us”, the name Isaiah means “God is Salvation”. When Isaiah saw the seraphim in a vision, immediately he cried out a lament: WOE…this was due to his uncleanness in the presence of God. This was answered by LO…answered by the Seraphim, saying, “Behold, I cleanse you.” Is this not true of the Kingdom of Heaven? With confession of his uncleanness came the complete and total forgiveness and cleansing of God from all unrighteousness. The scripture states in Vs. 6 that the seraph placed a live coal to Isaiah’s lips, and said, “See, this has touched your lips, your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

The first preparation for service is a cleansing from sin. When someone is coming over for dinner, what’s the first thing that you do? You wash the dishes so that all will be clean for your guests! Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he knew that he was unclean, a man of unclean lips, and from a people with unclean lips. This was a true lament, one of humility. What was in Isaiah’s heart was what came out of his mouth. The Word states that, Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

If Isaiah was to execute the calling God had on his life, he had to receive cleansing. This was the first step.

Unconfessed sin is a barrier to Prayer, as well as a disqualifier of our calling. Although God can use us while we are sinners (and always will be), the knowing that God is aware of your sins and staying in denial and refusing to confess and repent before God can put a wedge between you and Him. Therefore, confession of sin is important.

And when we do something against our brother, neighbor, or sister, even our enemy, we are actually sinning against God. When David committed sin, although he was the apple of God’s eye, when he confessed the sin in his life, he admitted that he had sinned against God.  We may find excuses for the sin in our life, but we must confess. Letting God purify us may be painful, but we must be purified so that we can truly represent God, who is pure and holy. In John 9:31, the Bible states, “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His Will.” Billy Graham said this years ago, and I still remember it to this day. God heareth not sinners. It puts that barrier between Him and us, and our prayers are not heard. God cannot dwell with sin!

Then the Lord said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” This was the calling of God for someone to carry out His Will. (Vs.8) “Us” refers to the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In response, Isaiah submitted himself entirely to God’s service. No matter how difficult this task might be, he said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Vs. 8b) Isaiah had readily surrendered to God’s control. God didn’t force him to surrender, He is a gentle spirit. We can’t relate to angels, but to fellow humans, thereby we, in answering His calling, become Ministers of redemption. No one has the same story; all are different. A redeemed man tells others about redemption. Tell your story. 

In Verses 9-11, God tells Isaiah that He had called him to declare to his people that He, God, had closed their ears and their eyes, lest they repent, turn from their sins, and be saved. This was not a popular message, and Isaiah’s offensive words might be met with opposition. But this was the Will of God. Prophets of old were often given messages that were received poorly or thought to be unacceptable. This was truth, and many were blinded and could not hear, understand, or comprehend what it was that even Jesus was saying, as He spoke to them in parables. But always, God is in control. We don’t just walk into a Church and haphazardly receive the word of God! He has orchestrated and planned with precision the ones who will hear--saying many times, “Those who have ears to hear, let them hear”. God is the author and the finisher of our faith!

“God told Isaiah that the people would listen but not learn from his message because their hearts had become calloused (hardened) beyond repentance. God’s patience with their chronic rebellion was finally exhausted. His judgment was to abandon them to their rebellion and hardness of heart. And the main reason God had chosen to preach that word to those who would not listen was that a remnant would hear and repent! Our God is merciful even when he judges. If we are faithful to Him, we can be sure of his mercy.”

In Chapter 11:1-5, Jesus is prophesied, and foretold to come. In the case of human beings, only a measure of spiritual gifts are given, but not so with Jesus. He was without limitation, and God had planned His entry into the World, and foretold His life seven-hundred years before! Of course, Christ is the “Ancient of Days” and has always existed, but you know what I mean.

Assyria would be like a tree cut down at the height of its power, never to rise again. Judah, (the royal line of David) would be like a tree chopped down to a stump. But from that stump a new shoot would grow. The Messiah! He would be greater than the original tree and would bear much fruit. The Messiah is the fulfillment of God’s promise that a descendant of David would reign forever. (2 Samuel 7:16)

And so, you see, that confession is the beginning of an intimate relationship with God. His calling on our lives is waiting for our repentance. And going to Him and telling Him all our cares is not enough. We must wait and hear what He is saying to us. If you want what God has for you, open up your heart and confess your sins to God. He can change your heart, give you a purpose, and move you through doors you never dreamed you could go through. He is waiting for you.

Be blessed,

Teresa