Isaiah was overwhelmed. “Woe is me!” (Isa. 6) He had just seen a vision of God’s glory. He saw the reality of God’s character and grand position. Isaiah was dismayed at his own condition and position as a sinner. The contrast was overwhelming.
God dealt with Isaiah’s sin, then asked “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” The response of the cleansed sinner was, “Here am I! Send me!”
It is the reality of God’s character and purposes which cause us to see ourselves and our priorities in a new light. As we measure ourselves against Him, we realize something must change!
Like Isaiah we may think everything is fine until we are exposed to the light of God’s glory, causing us to reevaluate ourselves and our endeavors.
Through His written Word, God has granted to us Isaiah’s vision, and many more revelations, so that we may have access to the knowledge of His character and His values.
Our greatest need is to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. (He is worthy!) Next to that is our need to love our neighbors as ourselves. These are the things that are the very, very best for us on earth in light of God’s character and all of eternity to come.
Jesus advised us to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. (Matt. 6:33) He also told us to lay up treasure in heaven. While that treasure includes good deeds (1 Tim. 6:18-19), I’m thinking that the lasting treasure of heaven’s layaway plan (Matt. 6:19-21) is other people whom we bring with us on our journey of faith. The treasure is about seeking what God values over the values of the world around us.
God is giving us time in the here and now to chose a greater investment than anything the world has to offer. It comes only by believing God’s Word about the present world and grasping His values. Doing so is costly on earth but has value so great in God’s economy that the return on the investment endures into eternity.
He has asked us to carry a cross for a while so that “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and the joy set before us, we may represent Him well as ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5)
There is a new heaven and a new earth where we will live in new bodies with a new, unique name in a city of pure gold where God is the light of it. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. Fear, unbelief, lying, immorality, corruption, idolatry and theft will all be gone.
The opportunity to join Jesus there in heaven is open to everyone who hears and believes the message. The invitation is carried by messengers who are sent by those who have already embraced the invitation. (Rom. 10)
Some people have not yet received the invitation because God’s postal system is not delivering to all of the postal codes. The workers may be busy on other projects, simply uninformed or misreading the instructions.
Mobilization is a key part of accelerating delivery to remote people. We declare Christ’s identity, present His instructions, assist with the training program, display the rewards, tell about the benefits and ask the team to join us in fulfilling the Great Commission until the Master returns to see how His talents were invested.
We have the great job of finding and guiding the workers who will take the Gospel to people who have never heard it. We help bring in God’s treasure: other people! Will you help us declare His glory both among the laborers and the unreached tribes? Then more people will say with us, “I saw the Lord!” Together we will see Him face to face!