In 1952, a sad word went around in England, King George VI had died in his sleep. He had done great things but one day his heart gave up.  People flooded the churches for comfort.  The same happened in 1963 when J F Kennedy was cut down by an assassin’s bullet.  About 700 years before Christ was born in Bethlehem, the same message was broadcasted in Judah, ‘the King is dead’ – King Uzziah was the 11^th king of Judah, crowned at the age of 16, he came to the throne at a difficult time but he loved God and followed the ways of his father – Josiah.  He fought many battles, built towers and protected his country.  In his time, he built cities and generally they flourished.  However his ways changed towards the end of his 52-yr reign and he was struck with leprosy; after which he died as a consequence of his actions.

Some of us have been bruised and battered by life, hurt feelings, rejected and betrayed by those who should love and be close to us.  Life has dealt hard with some and many Christians are left depressed and even suicidal.  Many are planning how to walk out of Christianity.  The King indeed is dead!  Isaiah’s heart was broken at the death of King Uzziah because he was not only his king, he was also his friend.  Isaiah was discouraged.  Friend, how many times have you felt betrayed by people you have invested in, only to find them going the opposite way?  The devil loves nothing more than to get us discouraged. We must not stop serving God and investing our energy in serving God when things like these happens, we ought to be found in the house of the Lord especially when we face difficult situations.

Isaiah went to worship at the Sanctuary looking for something to soothe his heart.  God visited him.  He saw the Lord surrounded by seraphim and cherubim and this sight changed his life forever.  He worshipped God.  Some of us have given up on God arriving in power and we come to Church when we feel like, some even arrive late and go early, some would refuse to sing hymns/spiritual songs with others, some use worship time to mentally do their shopping list…  When you catch a glimpse of God, your life will not be the same.  On the other hand, some Churches whip up a lot of emotions and drama, screaming hallelujah and continuous ‘amen’, trying to add some juice and thinking by such acts they can invoke the presence of God. These too show lack of belief that God will truly show up with His power.  God wants to give us a driving energy that no cares of the world will take away.  The bible says Isaiah truly worshipped God.  You ought to come to the place of worship with an expectation.  If your week has been good, come with a testimony, if it has been bad; come to the throne of mercy knowing you can find grace to bear your situation. Never come before God without an expectation! Isaiah had lost his king but when he caught a glimpse of the King of kings, his life was permanently changed.

There are some lessons God wants us to learn from this passage:

1. God is still in control - God wants us to realise that He is still on the throne.  Look at vs. 1, God was seated on His throne and His train filled the temple.  God is always showing that He is still in control - the Israelites thought it was over when they saw a small boy with a sling and stones!  They must have thought their final end had come, but God showed them He was still in control.  Know that God is fighting your cause.  What about Daniel thrown into the lions’ den?  He must have been committing his life into God’s hands but that day, the lions met the Lion of the tribe of Judah and became toothless! Hallelujah! Know that God cannot be dethroned.  God is saying relax, He is still in control.  Remember the words of the hymn writers, ‘Mighty Rock in a weary land, Cooling Shade on the burning sand, Faithful guide for the pilgrim’s band, yes, He’s a Shelter in the time of storm’.

2. God is still in the world – The Psalmist said, “where will I hide from your spirit?”  It does not matter where we run to.  God is saying no matter where you feel you are, you may feel all alone thinking there’s no one in your stom, God is saying nowhere is too far for Him to reach you.  God is saying ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you’. You need to realise that God is still in your world and can influence your situation.

3. God is stilling calling imperfect people - Some believe they can’t be used because they have messed up so much.  Isaiah said, ‘woe is me! For I am a man of unclean lips…’  Moses said he had a speech defect but God still used him.  Jeremiah claimed he was too young but God was still able to use him. If you are waiting for the time you will figure it all out before serving God, you probably never will.  God never calls the perfect.  He specialises in using imperfect people.

4. God is still forgiving sinners - Some feel they have so messed up and God won’t accept them again.  Don’t you think David must have felt very unclean after sleeping with Bathsheba but God cleansed him and forgave him.  Don’t let past mistakes dicate the things of today. God is still in the business of forgiving sinners.

5. God is still using willing people - You don’t have to be popular or educated before God can use you.  What matters is a vessel willing to be used of God.

In conclusion, you may feel discouraged but God wants you to know that He is still with you, He forgives, and He is willing to use the willing.  Earthly kings come and go but the King of Kings is ever here.  The king may be dead but the King of Kings is still alive and He will not let you down.  The throne in Judah became vacant but God surpasses them all.  God is still on His throne.  God is deeper than your valley, He is broader than your horizon, He is greater than your problems.  Jesus is everything!  The Lion of Judah, the Rose of Sharon, the Prince of peace, the King of Kings, Unfathomable, Unmovable, Unbending, and Unending.  He is everything even when the king is dead.  Know that the king may be dead but THE KING is alive!

Shalom!

 

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