The book of Isaiah does not run in strictly chronological order. As we saw yesterday, it begins with Isaiah’s presentation of God’s argument against Judah; it’s not until five chapters later that it presents a flashback to the beginning of Isaiah’s ministry. Isaiah had gone to the temple one day, and there he saw a vision of the Lord: high and exalted, and somehow just the hem of his robe was big enough to fill up the whole temple (Isaiah 6:1). There were seraphs flying around the Lord, mighty angels with six wings, angels singing loud enough to make the thresholds vibrate, singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (6:2-4).

Isaiah would become one of the greatest of the prophets, declaring the word of the Lord with power and conviction; but in this moment he was utterly undone. “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (6:5). Isaiah was sure that seeing the glory of God could only result in the death of a sinner like himself.

And then he saw it coming: he saw death coming right at him. He saw one of the seraphs coming to kill him, as that angel took a live coal from the altar with tongs, and flew with this chunk of fire right into Isaiah’s face (6:6-7). Isaiah knew he was about to die. But he did not die. Instead, his sin was blotted out, and his guilt cleansed (6:7). And in the wonder of being transformed rather than destroyed, he heard the voice of God: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me” (6:8).

It’s an astonishing answer, to imagine that you could volunteer to do a task for Almighty God. And yet it makes sense: Isaiah had recognized the astonishing grace he had received, and it moved his hearts to service. It happens for us the same way. When we reckon with the depth of mercy our God has extended to us, we want to respond with gratitude, not just in word but in deed.

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Again and again you give us your grace, O Lord: far more than we deserved, in the moments when we thought we were dead, and far more than we understood, in the average moments every day as well. Grant us readiness to hear your call, and to respond: Here I am. Send me.