DATE POSTED: Saturday, November 18th, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Royal Floridian Resort, Ormond Beach, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Amplified Bible (AMP) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 6:1; 5;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw [in a vision] the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, with the train of His royal robe filling the [most holy part of the] temple. 
Then I said, “Woe is me! For I am ruined, because I am a man of [ceremonially] unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: I know my readers/listeners will want to get me straight on one point right at the very beginning of this devotional: you are still alive, and have therefore never seen God’, right? To which I world respond: ‘but how is that any different to the prophet Isaiah’? And because of that, I believe there may be more to this particular Scripture than just breezing through a quick reading of how blessed Isaiah was, and to see his response to what he saw. The first thing God drew my attention to was that Isaiah was careful to mention that it was the year his mentor, King Uzziah, died. Could it be that as long as the king was alive, Isaiah was content in knowing what he stood for and in seeing his godly actions as he led his people? Could it be that Isaiah made himself content in seeing his king respond to the goodness of God, while feeling like he could never be that worthy, or blessed? I believe that we are way too comfortable in thinking that the blessings of Almighty God is for your spouse , or your pastor, or the evangelist that you watch on TV every week, and through encouraging them or possibly praying for them, you tend to feel blessed. Perhaps going to church and hearing the preacher talk about the goodness of God has become enough for you. But what if you were able to present yourself boldly before God, so that He may love on you and chat with you about your good, bad and indifference? Yes, your encounter may also be in a vision, but how do you suppose you would take that visit with God? Isaiah was a prophet of God, yet he felt inadequate and unworthy, but I believe it was a key marker in his life that he probably always referred back to. For example, having recently celebrated my 48th wedding anniversary recently, I had some key words of advice for a young couple about to be married today. Imagine talking to a discouraged Christian, or an unbeliever, about your encounter with the Creator of the Universe, and how, like Isaiah, your emotions of being with God just took over in echoes of praise as you were so aware of His holiness and His love for you and all mankind! Notice how Satan provoked Isaiah to think about all that he was, all that he said over time, all that his people were doing, and all that might separate him from the love of God. Friends, that’s Satan’s job, to distract and pull you away from God. When you surrender your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, He forgives you of your sin – past, present and future. In fact, He is so serious about adopting you as his very own son/daughter that He promised to even prepare a home for you in heaven where you will also be with He and the Father for all eternity! Friends, with that kind of Heavenly Father, is there any wonder that Isaiah was in awe at seeing His veil that filled the temple, and then to later compare that holiness to what he knew his life looked like? You might be tempted to do the same today dear friend, but please be reminded God not only created you, but He also loved you enough that He provided the one and only means of you joining Him in glory when life here on earth has ended. Yes, He is that holy, that awesome, that loving and that mighty, but as one covered by the blood of His Son, Jesus, God sees you as one of His own. God said that your sins are separated, placed in His ‘Junk/deleted Files’ when He forgives you, so please don’t even try to feel guilty about them anymore. You are as white as snow in His eyes, so there is no need to think otherwise!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, like Isaiah, I am amazed by your holiness, and although I have frequent communications with You, I can’t imagine what my reaction would be if I came face-to-face with You in person, or in a vision. However, I am eternally thankful that my sins are forgiven and that I am looked on as Your righteous son. But Lord, I’m afraid that some might dare to read this devotional who is not as sure about their eternal destiny as I am. Please use something in this simple devotional to get their attention, and please soften their hearts to welcome Your input so that they may recognize You and Your precious gift made available to them through Jesus, Your Son. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!