Hebrews 12:1 NLT Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
What if you could spend time with one of these Heroes of the faith, what would they say to us? How would they encourage us?
Isaiah 30:21 NIV Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Some of us are at a place in our Christian walk where we are just trying to figure some things out. We need direction, we need encouragement, we need strength, etc. Isaiah would say to us:
“An encounter with God changes everything.”
You might be asking what does that look like and how do I have one of those?
A God Encounter
- Our greatest pain can be a catalyst for our greatest gain.
Isaiah 6:1-4 NIV In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (2) Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. (3) And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (4) At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
- When we see God clearly, we see ourselves clearly.
Isaiah 6:5 NIV “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
We get stuck in our spiritual walk because we will not let God touch the deepest parts of our lives.
- God removes our past so He can redeem our future.
God doesn’t want to keep re-hashing your past. He wants to settle it once and for all.
God will identify in us what needs to be changed but then He will walk us from that thing in our past so that we can move the glorious future He has for us.
Isaiah 6:6-8 NIV Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. (7) With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (8) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah’s Words of Encouragement
- “God wants to reveal more of Himself to you.”
This is true no matter where you are in your walk in the Lord.
Isaiah 55:6 NIV Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (12) Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (13) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Key: Go all in.
- “God wants to change you.”
Isaiah 1:18-19 NKJV “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (19) If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, (3) now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
Key: Take the next step.
- “God has an assignment for you.”
Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (2) See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. (3) Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Ephesians 1:4 NIV For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight…
Ephesians 2:10 NLT For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Key: Discover your purpose.