Read the lyrics to “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” or download it from iTunes here

Read Isaiah 6

Let’s cover two aspects of this great worship service in Isaiah today. The first is Dedication. God asks the question, almost rhetorically it seems, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah responds, appropriately, “Here am I! Send me.” After we have experienced God’s gracious forgiveness and we’ve heard His voice in proclamation, we have an opportunity—a joyous one at that—to respond and commit our lives to His calling. Isaiah did just that. What would your response have been? Now, read to the end of the chapter. Would your response be the same of you knew you were called to preach the Gospel to deaf ears? Isaiah was obedient even though he knew it would be a difficult and draining task from the beginning. Pray about your response to God’s call.

The second aspect of this worship service this morning is Supplication. We actually don’t see this very clearly in Isaiah 6, but we see it in plenty of other places throughout Scripture. We’ve seen a revelation of God, we’ve responded with adoration and confession, He’s forgiven us, He’s declared His word, and we have committed to His will. Now we can petition God for our needs. This isn’t an opportunity to provide God with a “shopping list,” but it is an opportunity to lay our fears and concerns at His feet. It is also an opportunity to be an intercessor for others. Pray for their salvation, or pray for strength through trials and tribulations. “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” is an excellent song that shows the proper spirit we should have when faced with hardships. May it always be our prayer than when we face trials, God draws us closer to Himself and forms us more into His image.

Spend time in prayer (re)committing yourself to God’s will and His Kingdom. If there are things that are causing you concern, or you are close to someone who is in a great deal of pain right now, lay these concerns at the throne of God. And ask Him for the strength necessary to leave them there. Too often, we can take our petitions to Him but when we’re finished, we want to take them with us. Ask for God’s grace not to do that. He’s far more capable of working them for His intended will than we are.

Go and live in the glory of God.