October 2023 Pray Calendar and Lesson

Many things compete for our time and attention, such as social media, reality shows, binge watching shows we recorded to view later. Other things compete for our time and attention as well, children’s sport activities, upcoming football season and pending holiday celebrations.
If any of these things are blocking our view of God, ask Him to search us because He knows our heart. Ask Him to try us, He knows our anxieties; ask Him if there is any wicked way in us and lead us in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23-24)

In the book of Isaiah, God had given him a vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of the kings of Judah. This vision came before Isaiah was called to be a prophet. God is giving us a glimpse of the pending perilous times. (2 Timothy 3:1-7) He’s preparing us to do good work according to (Ephesians 2:10). For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Isaiah chapter 6 opens with Isaiah saying, in the year King Uzziah (you-ZIE-uh) died, Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Isaiah went on to describe other elements of what he saw and experienced. Isaiah also saw himself in light of God’s holiness. He exclaimed; “woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.”  For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. He further stated that one of the seraphim touched his mouth with a live coal and told him his iniquity is taken away and his sin purged. Isaiah’s ears were open to hear the Lord’s voice, asking, “whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah then said, here am I! Send me.” Are we willing to go where God will send us?

There are four stages of Isaiah’s experience with God.

Sight: He saw the Lord (vss. 1-4) in His heavenly temple.

Insight: He saw himself (vss. 5-7) The sight of a holy God and the sound of the holy hymn of worship brought conviction to Isaiah’s heart, and confirmed he was a sinner.

Vision: He saw the need (vs. 8) The nation needed the Lord, and the Lord wanted a servant to minister to the people. Isaiah volunteered to be that servant.

Blindness: The nation could not see (vss. 9-13) The Lord did not give His servant much encouragement. Isaiah’s ministry would actually make some people’s eyes more blind, their ears more deaf, and their hearts more callused.

God has designed us to do good works. God spoke to Ezekiel in chapter (3:16-21) to be a watchman for the house of Israel; to hear a word from God’s mouth, to give them a warning from God. As you read the remaining verses, you will see how serious God is about the mission for us to warn the people.

Ezekiel is the prophet of human responsibility. Some captives blamed God for their sad conditions, while others blamed their ancestors. Does any of this sound familiar? Ezekiel made it clear that each individual is held responsible and accountable before God.

God wants us to put away everything that blocks our view of Him and His holiness. He is calling each of us to recognize our sin, and to see the sin of the nation. We must give God’s warning so that people will choose Him.