Dear Tabernacle Family,
We are living in a culture enamored with its great accomplishments; placing a premium on pleasure and comfort. This pursuit ignores the Lord in our lives, as we often try to violate principles and sound practices. With things proceeding in a favorable manner, mankind acts as the god of their lives and worships the work of our own hands. However, when comfort and confidence is disturbed and it is apparent that we don’t have the remedy, it is then we “seek” God, even if it is only to restore our world.
Isaiah, a prophet living in Jerusalem who appears to have been highly ranked - probably the head and chief of the prophetic order - gives an account of how it was when King Uzziah died.
“In the year King Uzziah died, I [Isaiah] saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. . .” (Isaiah 6:1).
Judah was enjoying a marvelous time of peace and prosperity under the leadership of King Uzziah. There was a sense of confidence and security that was attributed to their king. He was held in high esteem by his people, and respected and feared by surrounding nations.
Uzziah began serving his nation following the assassination of his father. He “did what was right in the sight of the Lord.” He lived with the prophetic voice of Zechariah instructing him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.
His approval ratings were out of sight. A shoe-in for another term if running for office.
He led his army in successful military expeditions against the Edomites and tore down the walls of major Philistine cities, while reclaiming territory previously taken from Judah.
· Successful military expeditions against the Edomites, tore down the walls of major Philistine cities, while reclaiming territory previously taken from Judah;
· His homeland security was in high gear as the walls of Jerusalem were strengthened;
he was a great patron of agriculture;
· Prosperity was at a level not seen since the days of Solomon;
Judah had become a strong and influential state in the area.
Change and transition is always a dangerous and troublesome time for a nation, business, or even a family. As the nation mourned his death, they wondered how their life would be impacted.
Isaiah discovered who was in control when he encountered the real King. He was probably a respected member of the Jewish community, but in the presence of the Holy God, he realized his own incompleteness and need. God responded to Isaiah’s confession. A seraphim purged Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the altar, his guilt was removed, and his sin forgiven.
Do you have an “Uzziah” in your life that prevents you from seeing the Lord? It may be an individual, your religion, education, possessions, position, or anything that has a premier place in your life that prevents you from seeing the Lord in His rightful place.
Our world is filled with great confusion and many voices speaking. How do we know what we should believe? The answer is found when we set our distractions aside and allow God to reveal Himself to us.
"We worship at the level of our revelation of God" - Oswald Chambers
“If we commit ourselves to remain in God’s presence, He will change us, move us, guide us, and make a way so that we can fulfill our divine destiny”-- Bill Wilson, (“Christianity in the Cross Hairs.”)
Pastor Allen Baun