HERE AM I . . . WORDS FOR A NEW YEAR

This month I want to share with you some thoughts that were a digression from a direction in which I was going. Has that ever happened to you? Working in one direction and all the sudden you are off and running in another direction for a little bit before returning to what you were previously running after. I suppose that is like chasing rabbits but I sure hope you’ll agree this leads somewhere valuable not everywhere and nowhere.

Isaiah’s commission, which held him for some 40 years of ministry, was closely tied to a vision. A vacant throne due to king Uzziah’s death was contrasted with another throne which will never be empty or vacant for the Holy, Eternal, Glorious King of All is enthroned there; His rule is never ended, no dynastic successors or any successors, ever! So when Isaiah is traumatized by the vision of being in YHWH’s presence (we might say, “I AM is here,” close to where Isaiah is) he wisely responds with the only appropriate response: “Here I am . . . send me.”

Change the scene --- 11 terribly weak and very human men with whom we have great affinity and affection see the Risen Lord taken up before their eyes into a cloud I would understand to be none other than the “shekinah glory cloud” which hid Him from their sight. Was this another “I AM is here” time? Was that vision with their physical eyes not the basis of their commission?

Here is what I am wondering and certainly want to be corrected if this is incorrectly interpreting the Word . . .whenever anyone is given to see, for us with eyes of faith in the Scripture, that “I AM is here” we’re going to be saying: “Here am I, send me.” I know Moses had more to say than that and so did Jeremiah so this is not a wooden, certain principle perhaps but for me, moving into a New Year, it is helpful and practical to get a good look, a good vision of the Greatness of the God Who is salvation and when I “see” Him; know I AM is here, I am in His presence and belong to Him, all I want to say is: “Here I am . . .send me!”

We go to Asia this month for almost a month (Jan. 16-Feb. 11) because we believe we are “sent ones” knowing you go with us by your prayers and support. May we all think much about Him in this New Year and all respond as “sent ones” . . . our commission, our response to seeing the greatness of the LORD. May we wander home well seeing more clearly, more often, through the Word, Who He is.

A blessed New Year of serving and trusting in the Great I AM!

Keith and Bonnie