Called by God: Isaiah

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived

Background
Isaiah was a prophet who may have been a member of the royal family, possibly a cousin of King Uzziah. He was married to a prophetess and the couple had two sons.

One day, in a vision, Isaiah witnessed a revelation of God in all the fullness of His holiness and glory. Immediately, Isaiah’s own sinfulness was so evident that he was overwhelmed with remorse. But God graciously took the initiative to remove Isaiah’s guilt and sin.

Calling
Then God issued Isaiah’s calling in the form of two questions:1

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?’  And I said, ‘Here am I.  Send me!’”2

A prophet is “a messenger of the Lord.” But Isaiah’s calling was specific to the kingdom of Judah and contained several parts.

  • Urge the people to repent of their sins and return to God
  • Foretell the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the Lord
  • Share prophesies of near future events that also apply to the future

Some of Isaiah’s future prophesies involved the coming of the Messiah. All these prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. However, other future prophesies referred to the last days and the Second Coming of Christ.

Response
Without knowing the specific assignment, Isaiah accepted the call saying, “Here am I. Send me!”  After issuing the call, God disclosed that the people wouldn’t pay attention to Isaiah’s message. Isaiah asked, “For how long, O Lord.”3 God replied that he was to continue preaching until the coming Babylonian captivity.

Can you imagine obeying God’s calling for some 50 years, as Isaiah did, and knowing in advance that no one would listen to you? Yet Isaiah was faithful to his calling throughout his lifetime.

Meaning

  • A calling may be an immediate revelation: instantly understood
  • A calling may involve direct communication: Bible, prayer, whispers
  • A calling may be short and simple, like “Go and Tell”
  • A calling involves faithfulness without regard to fruitfulness
  • God may permit questions to clarify the calling

Summary

  • Who, if anyone, does God want you to go to on His behalf?
  • Is there a group of people that your heart is naturally drawn to serve?
  • What, if anything, does God want you to tell them?
  • Is there something God wants you to share with others?
  • Is your heart ready and willing to respond, “Here am I.  Send me!”?

Prayer
Lord, please stir my heart to be ready and willing to volunteer for whatever call You issue. I am unworthy to serve You because, like Isaiah, I’m a person of unclean lips. Cleanse me completely and use me fully.  Amen.

1 The calling of Isaiah is told in Chapter 6 of the Book of Isaiah
2 Isaiah 6:8a
3 Isaiah 6:8b

© 2013 Designed to Serve®

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.