I the Lord of sea and sky

“It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. ²Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. ³They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” ⁴Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. ⁵Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” ⁶Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. ⁷He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” ⁸Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”” Isaiah 6:2-8 NLT

Lord God Almighty,

I could not move on from this passage without looking again at Isaiah’s experience and calling. And yet he has been having visions (Isaiah 2:1) and speaking out judgements and warnings (Isaiah 3) to Judah for You God for some time. He has even spoken about restoration (Isaiah 4). But this surmounts them all.

The year that Uzziah died seems to be one of those pivotal points in history. It was an important moment for Isaiah. He moved from earthly authority to knowing he had heavenly authority. And I still wonder whether it was a real coal and if he felt its heat as it touched him! And You God, the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth ask for him to volunteer. You do not command him, or tell him what will happen if he doesn’t take up the offer . . . What a gracious God You are.

Some tasks we just do because it is right and good and helpful for the family in Christ and those who need help. Some tasks You ask us if we will take them on. And we watch out for those moments when You ask us if we will volunteer to do something particular. Perhaps if it comes with a burning desire to say yes?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 13th July 2025

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus

Lyrics: Daniel L Schutte

“About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. ²The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son . . .” “when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River . . . ” “Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him . . . .” “Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. ⁸“Yes, do! . . . ” So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. ⁹“Take this baby and nurse him for me, the princess told the baby’s mother . . .” “when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses . . . “I lifted him out of the water.”” Exodus 2:1-10 selected NLT

God of Abraham, Isaac and Moses,

So Moses got to be with his mother. Some scholars say until he was on solid food, some say till he was much older. You, Lord God used circumstances and inspired his sister to ensure Moses was where he should be. And he had a future against all odds, because Your hand was upon Him.

We cannot always see Your hand upon our lives – sometimes till much later and sometimes we can never understand this side of heaven. Nothing could stop Moses from having the love of his parents. Not the midwives who should have killed him. Not Pharaoh’s daughter who should have had him killed. Not Pharaoh who must have spotted hat he had the traits of an Israelites and not an Egyptian?

Thank You that we have been taken from death and given life (Romans 6:23) We too have a sibling, a brother, Jesus, who watched over us till we were ready to be lifted from drowning in sin. We have a parent who will not give up on us. And You give our life of purpose and meaning. Maybe not lead a nation to freedom but maybe one person at a time. Help us Lord to be brave, to be kind, to be proactive.

In Jesus name we pray, Aman.

Worship Sunday 2nd February 2025

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them,
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Lyrics: Daniel L. Schutte