But then one of the seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was a hot coal he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Look, this coal has touched your lips. Your evil is removed; your sin is forgiven.” — Isa 6:6-7
Each seraph had six wings. “With twain, he covered his face.” Here was Reverence, which is one of the noblest traits in character, whether angelic or human. The statesman who, beneath human movements, set himself to understand the Divine purpose. The a... moreBut then one of the seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was a hot coal he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Look, this coal has touched your lips. Your evil is removed; your sin is forgiven.” — Isa 6:6-7
Each seraph had six wings. “With twain, he covered his face.” Here was Reverence, which is one of the noblest traits in character, whether angelic or human. The statesman who, beneath human movements, set himself to understand the Divine purpose. The artist, whether in music, poetry, or painting, discovers a Presence that fills him with elevated and pure ideals. The scientist compares himself to a child gathering pebbles on the shores of a boundless ocean. These resemble the Seraphim with their veiled faces.
“With twain, they covered their feet”—Self-effacement and Humility. If we begin thinking and talking of ourselves, we prove we are second-rate. We may be attractive and valuable but have not attained the first and best. The angels forgot themselves in their absorbing love for God. When shall we forget ourselves in His constraining love, not to live to ourselves, but to Him who died for us and rose again?
“With twain, they did fly”—Obedient Service. The third part of our energy should be spent thus. Two-thirds of communion and worship must work themselves out in service, or else we become dreamy mystics. Such life becomes contagious—“One cried to another.” There is always a cry going forth from the eager soul, which is right with God, and this awakens a response in others and stirs them to service. One bird in the woodlands singing at dawn will wake the whole forest glade to music. The Seraphim declared that the entire earth was God’s glory!
The prophet saw his need for cleansing: “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips.” We do not need to agonize with God for cleansing but to open our hearts in confession. Immediately, one of the Seraphim will fly to meet our needs. Nay, the Lord Himself—Lo, this live coal, saturated with blood and steeped in flame, combining Calvary and Pentecost, has cleansed our iniquity and purged our sin! Then we shall cry: “Here am I; send me.” Redeemed, forgiven, and cleansed sinners make the best evangelists!
Prayer
Give us, O Lord, more than an angel’s love, for Thou hast redeemed us. Give us the swiftness of an angel’s obedience; may we do Thy commandments and listen to the voice of Thy word. Cleanse us from all iniquity, purge us from sin, and use us in Thy service. Amen.
GC John Kelmy
KCP, Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
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