Then said I, ‘Woe is me!’ for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Isaiah 6:5 KJV
In verses 1-4, Isaiah describes seeing a vision of God in His holiness, high and lifted up. This vision caused Isaiah to then see himself differently, as he really was. Most of us have a pretty high view of ourselves. We think that we’re okay and not quite as bad as others, but this vision of God caused Isaiah to cry out, “Woe is me!” He saw his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his nation. It is not until we see God as He is that we are likely to see ourselves as we are. Our opportunity to know God truthfully comes by spending time in His Word, seeing Him as He is. The better we know God the better we will know ourselves. Upon doing so Isaiah confessed he was a sinner, just as each of us must do.
Lord, grant me, through Your Word, opportunities to have a fresh view of Your holiness. Too often I fail to see You as You really are and consequently fail to see myself as I am. To have a right appraisal of myself I must have a right view of You. Help me to see my sinfulness, confess my sinfulness, and then be cleansed by Your holiness.
