OzThoughts Thursday 20th November 2008

OzThoughts Thursday 20th November 2008

Some years ago, I worked for Australian Red Cross and in particular, I was involved in management of the volunteer branches throughout the State. I was often called on to chair the branch annual general meetings.

Sometimes it was difficult to get people to act as executives of the branch. So we would urge people present to accept nomination as President, Secretary or Treasurer. We always felt satisfied when someone said “Yes, I will accept nomination”. It then became my task to train and mentor this person in the tasks of the position.

Sometimes I wondered at the ease with which a person was accepted into the position and in my mind contrasted it with the selection process I was familiar with in Salvation Army Corps (churches). So often it is difficult to know who is willing to serve in what task in the church.

A story which is very special and tells the story of a man and his servant relationship with God is the story of Isaiah.

Isaiah 6 (The Message)
Holy, Holy, Holy!

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Master sitting on a throne--high, exalted!-and the train of his robes filled the Temple.
2 Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew."
3 And they called back and forth one to the other,
Holy, Holy, Holy is GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
His bright glory fills the whole earth.
4 The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke.
5 I said, "Doom! It's Doomsday! I'm as good as dead!
Every word I've ever spoken is tainted--
blasphemous even!
And the people I live with talk the same way,
using words that corrupt and desecrate.
And here I've looked God in the face!
The King! GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!"
6 Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 He touched my mouth with the coal and said,
"Look. This coal has touched your lips.
Gone your guilt,
your sins wiped out."
8 And then I heard the voice of the Master:
"Whom shall I send?
Who will go for us?"
I spoke up,
"I'll go.
Send me!"
He said, "Go and tell this people…”

Here in a few verses is worship, cleansing, a call and a response and then a commissioning. God needed someone. Isaiah was ready because he submitted to God and was in a right relationship with God.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I worship you in all your holiness, I like Isaiah feel so unworthy and unclean in your presence. However, Father, I am here to do your will. If it pleases, you show me your will today. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_062.mp3 ]

I would be thy holy temple,
Sacred and indwelt by thee;
Naught then could stain my commission,
'Tis thy divine charge to me.

Chorus
Take thou my life, Lord,
In deep submission I pray,
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.

Seeking to mirror thy glory,
Living to answer thy call,
Each faithful vow now renewing,
Gladly I yield thee my all.

Time, health and talents presenting,
All that I have shall be thine;
Heart mind and will consecrating,
No longer shall they be mine.

O for a heart of compassion,
Moved at the impulse of love,
Lost ones to bring to thy footstool,
Thy gracious riches to prove!
Author: Brindley Boon
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 786

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