Why should I pay any attention to this? Well it is significant and it has been significant for thousands of people over these past two and a half thousand years.

On the occasion of the death of King Uzziah, this amazing man, Isaiah, went into the Temple in Jerusalem and what happened certainly changed his life and it has changed the lives of man others from that day on.

This was the day when Almighty God called Isaiah. It was not only a sad day but a most memorable and significant day!

Isaiah goes into the Temple in Jerusalem, and Isaiah sees and knows that God is still on the Throne. Here we have his personal testimony. You can read the details in Isaiah Chapter 6 in the Bible.

This lay at the heart of all his work and all his ministry as a prophet.

A man can do a lot for God when the call of God is upon his life. Although very few ever saw the point of his preaching and ministering, God did, and Isaiah holds fast to his testimony.

He describes what took place - "I saw the Lord - the Lord of Hosts - and He was seated upon His Eternal Throne." I was in His visible and audible Presence. I saw the Power of God. I saw the Majesty of God and glimpsed something of His glory and holiness.

That memorable memory never left Isaiah. That sort of thing never leaves you - but sustains you and upholds you when difficult days arise.

Hold onto your vision of God. Hold fast to your personal testimony. Hold onto what is real in your Christian experience.

What struck Isaiah as he stood there in The Temple? He saw that God is holy and he became aware that God is light. The Scripture speaks about God's holiness and light, before it speaks about His Love.

Now when a man sees the pure Holiness and Light of God, a natural reaction can be to run away from Him, just because of personal unworthiness. The place of Worship caused Isaiah to realise his own personal sin.

There can be times - when we become aware that we are dirty - unclean - impure - filthy - and that is what Isaiah experiences here, and that is why he says, "Woe is me - I am ruined - I am done for - what could God do with a man like me?"

We have all gone through times like this. You realise that you are a sinner - in need of forgiveness - in need of a bath - and through Jesus Christ we are cleansed and washed and forgiven.

Isaiah knew the condition Israel was in. He knew something of what was about to happen to his beloved land. Isaiah is bewildered - confused - upset - perplexed.

The best place to go through these emotions is in the House of God - in the Presence of God. There are times when the best place to be is in the House of God.

Isaiah confesses his sin, and the sin of the people around him, and he experiences a baptism of fire, as an angel takes a coal from off the altar, and with this live coal he touches Isaiah's lips, and Isaiah's sin is burned out - removed - gone - in a second.

He is clean - forgiven - his guilt is taken away. We receive all of this when we come to believe in Jesus Christ. Isaiah then hears what we all need to hear - The voice of God. Who shall go for us? Isaiah answers - "I'll go. Send me."

When you hear Jesus calling you, it may not always be as dramatic as this. It might even be more dramatic. It will be for you.

Whatever happens, respond positively - tell HIM so - and later, testify to the world that the living God has spoken with you and called you.

Never forget your experience. You'll need it for the valleys - for the dark days when you think the sun will never shine ever again - for the seasons when it might appear that not much is happening. When the Call of God is upon your life, you can patiently go through dry barren arid wilderness experiences, just like Jesus Christ after He was anointed with Holy Spirit.

Sandy Shaw