King Uzziah had lived his final ten years as a leper, with his son Jotham taking his throne instead. In contrast to the earthly king’s shame, Isaiah sees the glory of the heavenly king, who is always on the throne, and he is holy, holy, holy. Isaiah considered himself unfit for service as a prophet. His lips were unclean. In a vision, he sees God purify his lips with a coal from the altar. Now he is ready to speak to God’s people. But God warns him that his words will be ignored. Isaiah’s question: How long? God’s answer: until the whole tree (Israel) is cut down, with only the stump remaining. That stump is the holy seed –a remnant that will survive by God’s grace.
LORD, thank you for being faithful even when we are not.
Devotions 