“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us?’ I said, ‘I am here. Send me.'”
– Isaiah 6:8
Oh, what a powerful picture as Isaiah has glimpsed the glory of God. Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. This picture in heaven of God’s glory. Isaiah realizes his own sinfulness, cries out for mercy, woe is me. God shows mercy by taking a gift from the altar, touching his lips, a picture of sacrifice to atone for his sins. A sacrifice that we know in scripture is ultimately picturing Jesus, the only sacrifice for our sins. After seeing God’s glory and receiving such mercy, God speaks for the first time in this passage, and says, “Who shall I send and who will go for us?”
This Verse Calls for Righteous Hearts
Father, cause the posture of our hearts be that of Isaiah. May each of us say each day, “Here I am! Send me.”
It’s not like Isaiah’s a hero here. Like, “Here am I. Send me.” No, this is a picture of Isaiah saying, “Oh. Would it be that God would use me?” Like, “God I’m here. Look at me. God, look no further. Look at me. Would you send me? Will I do?” He’s so willing because he knows the glory of God and he’s experienced the mercy of God. He is willing to go wherever God wants. He didn’t ask, “Where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to do?” The question was, “Whom shall I send? Who will go?” Isaiah says, “Here am I. Look no further I am right here. Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 Prays for the Sharing of God’s Love and Mercy
Oh God, for this spirit, in all of us, in my life, on a daily basis. Here I am, send me today. Send me today, use me today, however you want for the spread of your glory and your mercy. God I pray this for every single person who’s listening to this right now. May this be the posture of their hearts. Here I am. Send me today. Send me wherever, however you want to use me today, spread your glory, to share your mercy, share your love, share the gospel. God, we pray. Use us today. Use us today wherever you send us. Into our workplaces, into our communities, into our cities, use today for the spread of your glory and your mercy we pray, and then wherever you want us to go in the world. God, we’re not asking where, we’re saying yes. We’re saying yes.
Isaiah 6:8 Prays for the Gospel to Reach All People Groups
God, we pray for the spirit of surrender. We think about all the people in the world who have little to no knowledge of the gospel, the Musi in Indonesia, 663,000 of them, no followers of Jesus. No gospel witness among the Musi people in Indonesia. God, we pray today. Here we are. Are you sending us? God, keep us from praying, “There they are, send them.” Or, “Don’t look at me, send somebody else.” God, we know that is not the response of the Christian. That is not the response of the one who has been saved by the sacrifice of Christ. That is not the response of the one who has seen the glory of God and been reconciled to you, so God, we pray, here we are.
Here we are, send us. Send more workers to the Musi in Indonesia. Send more workers to 6,000-plus people groups where the gospel has not yet gone, and send us out right where we are today. God, where we are and wherever you lead. Here we are. Send us. We pray this today in Jesus’ name. Amen.