A filthy young lady is covered in ashes and dirt from scrubbing floors and cleaning out the fireplace. She has an opportunity to go to a fancy ball at the palace, but look at her. There is no way that someone like her could ever show up at the palace and be in the presence of the prince and the beautifully-dressed royal party goers. But you probably already know that with a wave of a wand and little “bippity boppity boo,” her fairy godmother turned Cinderella’s rags into a lovely ball gown and made her perfectly ready for a night at the palace.
In the same way, Isaiah said he was a “man of unclean lips” who lived “among a people of unclean lips” and felt woefully unworthy to be in the presence of God and his angels.
But all it took to change that was a purifying touch from a hot coal carried by one of the angels.
In that moment, all Isaiah’s guilt was taken away and his sin atoned for. He was free to stand before God now, so when God had a job that needed done, Isaiah was made worthy of the task and raised his hand saying, “Here am I. Send me.”
Who knows what royal balls, quests or tasks may be in your future? But rest assured, whatever it is that God may call you to do and wherever he may call you to go, you do not need to fear that you are unworthy.
Cinderella had her fairy godmother.
Isaiah had the burning coal from the angel.
And you and I have the saving blood of Jesus Christ that has washed away all sin and guilt and allows us to boldly enter into God’s presence and to go forth in his name proclaiming his message of love.