Sun.’s Devo - Isaiah's Encounter

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7:25; 2 Corinthians 11:16-38; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 23:1-3
Uzziah’s father was Amaziah who did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. He brought the gods of the Edomites home with him and bowed down to them. god destroyed him for this using Israel’s king, Joash. Amaziah’s son, Uzziah became king and he did what was right in the sight of the Lord. He sought the Lord and God made him prosper. Uzziah built up the army of Judah and fortified the land. But, when he was older, he became filled with pride and sinned against the Lord. He went into the temple to burn incense. The priests tried to stop him but not before he was struck with leprosy. He lived his last years separated from people in seclusion. Jotham his son reigned in his place. Even though he was a good king and followed after the Lord, the people lived corruptly.
Today’s reading began at Uzziah’s death. Isaiah had a tremendous vision of the Lord on his throne with all the seraphim that surrounded the throne. He saw the glory of the Lord. All Isaiah could see was his sin until the angel touched his mouth with the coal from God’s altar and Isaiah was saved. God commissioned Isaiah to go tell the people that they won’t be able to see or hear or comprehend Him because they have chosen this themselves. Isaiah asked how long the people would be spiritually impotent and God said until the whole land was completely desolate. But…a tenth will remain and they will be a holy seed to reseed the land.
No matter how bad it is, God always has a plan of redemption and restoration.
Paul gives the church a new perspective. He saw that the people had been swayed into false doctrine by these super apostles and Paul was trying to bring them back to reality. He might not have the vernacular that these men had, but he had truth. Paul gave them his credentials: a Hebrew who had been beaten with rods, shipwrecked three times, robbed, and in all kinds of perilous situations all to care for the churches. His glory was in his infirmities not his lies.
John the Baptist had warned them time and time again about false prophets that would come. Paul was trying to keep their feet on the ground.
Lord, help us to not run after people who talk the talk, but in those who walk the walk. May we be examples of truth.