Do You Really See God?

By Vanessa Burke
        

When I think about what God says about King Uzziah in Isaiah 6:1—In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple"—I think about that symbolically. In other words. When we die to self, that's when we can see the Lord on His throne, not that He hasn't always been there; but that's when we really see Him for who He is. Once we see God for who He really is, we recognize how miniscule we are in comparison. We are nothing but a vapor, a wisp that could easily be blown away...yet for the grace of God.

In this state of humbleness, we understand that we are to look up to Him who is high and lifted up. This means seeking after God, His ways and His will for every area of our lives; making decisions based on what He has to say about it in His word; and basing our actions on moral values we’ve learned from God’s character and His commands. As we learn to constantly look up, to constantly inquire of, seek after, and look toward His guidance, we realize that the train of God's robe fills the temple. What does that really mean?

First of all, the train of a robe is the bottom part of it that drags along the floor, behind the rest of the garment. In Exodus 33:18-23, at Moses’ request for God to show him His glory, God passes by Moses, but He only shows Moses his “back parts,” for He told Moses that no one could see His face and live. If you are looking at the train of a robe, you are essentially looking at the back parts. God is too powerful to allow His entire being to be in our temple! Your temple is your very existence and represents your entire body, soul and spirit. So, in the temple of our lives, in our innermost spiritual sanctuaries, when God decides to make His presence known, it is but the train of His robe—just a tiny part of His entire presence—that we experience!

Let’s say, hypothetically, that God were to place all of Himself in your temple. Do you recall what happened to Paul on the road to Damascas when Jesus spoke to Him (Acts 26:12-18)? The brilliant light and voice of Jesus caused Paul and his companions to fall to the ground. John, who while exiled on the isle of Patmos saw the Risen One Himself in a vision, “fell at His feet as dead” (Revelations 1:9-19). Why? Because he, like Paul, could not withstand the power of God’s presence, which is so mighty that His entire being can't fit into any temple. When we experience His presence, although it is a minute fraction of His being—the train of His robe—it is a thing of awe.

I believe God is telling us in Isaiah 6:1 that once we die to ourselves, then live a life looking up to Him, then and only then will we experience His true power and presence—all of it that He can fit into our temple, into our worship, which not only involves our songs of praise and adoration but every aspect of how we live our lives. So, ask yourself: “What have I not died to? What have I been ignoring God’s voice about? What do I need to let go?” Is it someone who considers himself or herself as your friend but really isn’t? Is it someone you are about to marry that deep down inside you know you shouldn’t? Yes, I went there. Is it a sin you’ve been bound with and just refuse to let go? The only way you will truly see God in all His power and experience the awesomeness of His presence in your temple is for you to die to whatever it is that’s holding you back. You know what it is. And then constantly look up to Him—and witness His glory in a way you never have before. Selah.

Scripture of the Day: "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." - Isaiah 6:1

Vanessa Burke seeks to uplift, encourage and inspire others through her gifts of writing and speaking. She has many published articles in local, national and international publications. She is currently working on a devotional book based on the Psalms. Visit her at http://vanessaburke.blogspot.com