Webster's dictionary
describes AWE as an emotion variously
combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the
sacred.Another dictionary defines awe as "a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or
wonder". In both cases, we see two things - the use of the words
"feeling (or emotion)" and secondly - "sacred (or
reverential)".
Both definitions include the words "dread and fear" and both have the
same word, wonder, at the end of their respective definition. So that does that
mean to us? No one could have said it better than the great prophet Isaiah in
Chapter 6 of his book. Remember, as you read this short passage, Isaiah was already a servant of the Lord - as we are! Remember also, and then search your own soul, that we are no better than Isaiah!
Why do I say that? Well, we live in the same corrupt and profane world as Isaiah. Just like when King Uzziah was reigning, we live in relative prosperity, ease and comfort. Just like that time in Judah's history, we are a corrupt, foul-mouthed and perverse generation. Just like these early days of the ministry of the great prophet, the people of God are tolerating perversion, misrepresentation and misapplication of the Word by politicians and pastors who are no more sons of God than the fig tree that Jesus cursed.
In using the word "Damah", the Holy Spirit Who wrote this Scripture through Isaiah is recounting exactly what happened to Isaiah in the awesome presence of God! He was not just "undone" but was brought to the end of his corrupt earthly tradition! The word also means "silenced" and "ceased". The profanity and cultural "Christianity" (to put it in today's terms) which Isaiah was living had now been silenced and ceased/destroyed/wiped out and cancelled forever!
Isaiah was sanctified, literally sanctified, right in front of God...and it was confirmed in verse 6b, when The Seraphim touched his mouth with the hot coal to now, physically purge his mouth from speaking the world's stuff, so he could now speak clearly and cleansed for God!
The key to a Life Well Lived is being in that same place as Isaiah - UNDONE! DAMAH! It is only the cleansed and transformed vessel that God, through Jesus Christ, can send to the World, to speak and live and minister for Him. But it begins as with falling at His feet in completely awe, reverence and submission and then saying to the King - "Here I am, send me"!
Why do I say that? Well, we live in the same corrupt and profane world as Isaiah. Just like when King Uzziah was reigning, we live in relative prosperity, ease and comfort. Just like that time in Judah's history, we are a corrupt, foul-mouthed and perverse generation. Just like these early days of the ministry of the great prophet, the people of God are tolerating perversion, misrepresentation and misapplication of the Word by politicians and pastors who are no more sons of God than the fig tree that Jesus cursed.
ISAIAH 6 (NKJV):
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on
a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled
the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with
two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And
one cried to another and said:
“Holy,
holy, holy is the Lord of
hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”
The whole earth is full of His glory!”
4 And
the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the
house was filled with smoke.
5 So
I said:
“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 my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”
6 Then
one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he
had taken with the tongs from the altar.7 And he touched my mouth with
it, and said:
“Behold,
this has touched your lips;
Your iniquity is taken away,And your sin purged".
Your iniquity is taken away,And your sin purged".
When
we have an encounter with the Living God like this, it is all we could do to
react in the same way as the Prophet did in Verse 5 (re..."woe
is me, for I am undone..."). The Word which is used in the Hebrew for
"undone" is "DAMAH".
In the AWESOME Presence of the Great God of Heaven, he became completely
"destroyed physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and any other
"-ly" you can think of!
In using the word "Damah", the Holy Spirit Who wrote this Scripture through Isaiah is recounting exactly what happened to Isaiah in the awesome presence of God! He was not just "undone" but was brought to the end of his corrupt earthly tradition! The word also means "silenced" and "ceased". The profanity and cultural "Christianity" (to put it in today's terms) which Isaiah was living had now been silenced and ceased/destroyed/wiped out and cancelled forever!
Isaiah was sanctified, literally sanctified, right in front of God...and it was confirmed in verse 6b, when The Seraphim touched his mouth with the hot coal to now, physically purge his mouth from speaking the world's stuff, so he could now speak clearly and cleansed for God!
The key to a Life Well Lived is being in that same place as Isaiah - UNDONE! DAMAH! It is only the cleansed and transformed vessel that God, through Jesus Christ, can send to the World, to speak and live and minister for Him. But it begins as with falling at His feet in completely awe, reverence and submission and then saying to the King - "Here I am, send me"!
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