In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:1-3
As I sat down to reflect on my latest piece of artwork I can hear this word over and over again in my soul. That word is Glory. I find it not coincidental that during this time I have been reading a book by James Mac Donald titled “Gripped by the Greatness of God”. While exploring the contents of this manuscript I have come to identify with his labeling. Here is an example his first chapter which is labeled “Gripped by the Holiness of God”. Chapter two is “Gripped by the Awesomeness of God” and so on. All of the chapters use the adjective “gripped” as the action that takes place when encountering the different characteristics of God. He uses Isaiah chapter six as a reference point to God's awesome power. As the prophet Isaiah paints the scene King Uzziah’s death affords him the opportunity to see the pre-incarnate Christ on the throne in it's awesome power. Could you imagine the awesomeness of that event as God provides him with a glimpse of our Lord before he comes into his manifested glory? As Mr. Mac Donald points out in the book there are four words spoken by Isaiah that describe the witness that changed Isaiah’s life for eternity. “I saw the Lord” are the four words.
The point I’m trying to make is this. In order for us to present a gospel of peace and encounter a witness we have to see the cross of Jesus the Christ in the same manner Isaiah saw the throne. He saw the throne high and lifted up. Many of us will not be afforded the chance to see into the throne room of God. We are afforded the opportunity to witness however the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ. When we look toward the cross and position it where it belongs the power and manifested glory scripted there provides us with the impetus to overcome the challenges that occur in our lives. It empowers us into the living and removes us from the presence of the dead. As we encounter these experiences with the Holy Spirit our reliance is not with our eyes and ears, but with our hearts.(Isaiah 6:10)
Today I can bear witness that the power of the cross is absent in the message of the gospel. It is not readily apparent in the lives of present day Saints and believers. Yes we all fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23) but we are still afforded the opportunity to look toward the Cross of the Christ and use it as the standard of hope which allows us to envision and see the magnificent eternal throne of our Christ and King. My prayer today is for a renewed witness of Calvary and a refreshing look at our relationship with the King of glory. Lets stop pretending and start believing. Allow Jesus the Christ to be the head of our lives and not the tail.
It is an overwhelming and awesome thought that God loves us so much that all the power of the universe is presented at the cross of Christ. Each one of us by virtue of the Cross will receive nothing less than the opportunity to celebrate (Revelation 7:9) Jesus throughout eternity. Lift Jesus the Christ up today and allow Him to minister to every need concerning your present and future. It is the source of power that presents us with eternal life in the presence of a Holy God. Amen
"For you are our glory and joy." 1 Thessalonians 2:20
