The Bible is filled with stories of people who have been set apart for God’s purpose. Isaiah 6 gives an account of how Isaiah encountered God’s holiness. After he had recognized his own sinfulness before God, an angel flew to Isaiah and touched his mouth with the burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. This is what made Isaiah clean. His guilt was taken away and his sin was atoned for.

This account was aligned with Jewish culture and clear prohibitions of uncleanness as it relates to food, life, and worship. In Isaiah’s encounter, the burning coal taken from the altar symbolizes God’s purifying work. He is holy, separate, and independent from His creation, and He sanctifies us. Isaiah experienced spiritual cleansing, prompting him to respond with complete trust in God’s character and humble readiness to be part of His mission.

A similar pattern unfolded in the life of Jeremiah. He was in his youth when God revealed to him that he had been consecrated. In fact, even before he was born, God had chosen him to be a prophet to the nations. Though Jeremiah was afraid to receive this divine calling at such a young age, God affirmed him by saying He would be with him. God commissioned Jeremiah by extending His hand and touching Jeremiah’s mouth. In this divine act, God declared that He had placed His words in Jeremiah’s mouth, granting him the authority to speak God’s message over nations and kingdoms.

Isaiah and Jeremiah’s encounters with God’s holiness resonates with us today. Second Timothy 2:20–21 says that we are set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, and ready for every good work. We can live this out not out of our own ability, but because of God’s presence with us. When Jesus commissioned the apostles to make disciples of all nations, He began by affirming His authority and concluded with the assurance that He would be with them. His presence is with His people, and this includes our church. This year marks the fortieth anniversary of God’s faithfulness and grace to our church. As we express our gratitude to Him and look forward to what He will still do, we remain committed to fulfilling His Great Commission.

Today, whether we are on campus, in the workplace, doing business, taking care of the home, or already retired, we can all take part in advancing the kingdom of God in our nation and in every nation.

Respond:

1) Have you encountered the holiness of God? What has been the effect of this in your life? If there is an area in your life that you need to consecrate to Him, take some time to do this today.

2) Why do you think we are called to go reach our nation and every nation? What do you think your role is in this?

Faith Step:

Ask God for His kingdom to advance in every nation. Pray for opportunities to be a blessing to a specific nation by praying, giving, and even going.

Pray:

Jesus,

grant us a heart that beats for the nations.

May we have Your compassion for others,

and may Your name be glorified in every

corner of the earth. We ask for courage and

boldness to step out of our comfort zone,

trusting that You go before us and You are

with us. Here we are, willing vessels for

Your work among the nations, for Your

glory and honor . . .

In Jesus’ name,

amen.