Woe to Me!

Isaiah had been prophesying "Woe to you" to others. (Isaiah 3:9, 11; 5:8, 11, 18-22). But when he found Himself in the presence of a holy God, he cried, "Woe to me!" (6:3).

As soon as he recognized his true condition, a seraph touched him with a live coal.

An amazing change took place when God's fire cleansed him. Isaiah began hearing God saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go?"

Now that Isaiah has been cleansed, he does not need to be coerced. He simply needs an opportunity to volunteer. "Will I do? Send me!"

God is always calling for those who will go for Him, but until we are single-minded about pleasing Him and our motives are purified, our self-interests hinder us. But when we are cleansed, Christ's passionate longing to serve sacrificially becomes ours. Nothing could please us more than to continually live each moment doing His will. We serve simply because we want to express our love to God.

Paul exclaimed, "Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). This could be translated, "Your very own love, that You have placed in my heart, creates in me a driving desire to do something for others."

God's approval is enough when what we do for others we offer to God as our expression of worship.

Thank you, Father, for the purifying fire that gives us a desire to be used by You.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God...and grant me a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:10, 12).
"I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them" (Jeremiah 32:39).