At the beginning of each new month, look for a glimpse into my devotional journal where I use the S.O.A.P. method for Bible study. I trust it will be as encouraging for you as it is for me and if you haven’t already, give this method a try.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 6:8—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.”
OBSERVATIONS
After Isaiah saw his sin in the light of God’s blinding glory and purity—then he heard the voice of the Lord and the invitation to join God in His plans and activity.
God invites us to join him. Jesus modeled this in John 5:17; 19-20:
5:17: Jesus said to them, “’My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
19-20: Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
APPLICATION
I believe this gives us a model for approaching God to hear His voice so-to-speak. Like Daniel who spent time confessing his sins and the sins of his people—Isaiah also models this recognition and awareness of his sin and the sinful culture around him. Once humbled by our own sin—we more clearly see the holiness and glory of God.
Once we see the contrast of the two and humbly recognize our state—we are ready to receive God’s instruction and direction. We must slow down long enough and honestly acknowledge our own sin (1 John 1:9; Psalm 66:18) before we are truly ready to hear from the Lord.
It’s not that we will live perfectly or sinlessly. That won’t happen until we are with the Lord in our sinless, glorified, spiritual bodies fit for Heaven. But we can’t coddle sin or ignore it. We must confess it to the Lord and ask for His help. This is not a one-time decision. It is an ongoing battle and one worth the fight.
PRAYER
Lord, as we confess our sins to you, please drag everything unhealthy out into the light of your blinding glory and cleanse us once again. Help us to position ourselves to hear from you. We want to join you in your work while we have the ability to do so. May we consistently say, “Here we are Lord. Send us!” There is no other winning team. We want to be part of what you are doing.