In Isaiah 6, we read the wonderful narrative of Isaiah's vision and commissioning. In this vision, he had a glimpse of the wonders of heaven - angels crying "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (v.3) as they flew with covered faces around the throne of God. On this throne was the Lord, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple, a sight so majestic that Isaiah wrote, "And the posts of the door moved at the voice of [H]im that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (vv.4-5, KJV).
As I reflected on this portion of text, the profound truth of the first verse, and the implications for us as believers, came alive in my being. Isaiah's vision began with him seeing the Lord sitting upon a throne. The theology in this text is far greater than we need for our purposes, but what we can take way is the fact that the throne in heaven has not been abdicated, a word defined as to "give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations." Not only was the Lord sitting on his throne, but He was high and lifted up. The Apostle Paul spoke of this exaltation of Christ was he wrote that not only had God raised Him from the dead, but He "set [H]im at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under [H]is feet" (Ephesians 1:20b-22a).
Amidst the tough economic times, and the different challenges we all have to deal with, it is reassuring to know that the Lord is still on the throne. He has not abdicated, and despite Satan's best efforts, He has not been overthrown; nobody else but our Lord sits there. Yes, at times it seems like things are out of control, and the enemy of our souls would have us believe that God is unable to do anything about what is going on. Yet we can take comfort in knowing that our Lord is high above all else, His eyes is still watching over us, He sees our struggles, our tears, our fears, and He knows our pain. There is never a moment that we are out of His sight, there is never a time when we are without His love.
The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (4:15-16). The next time you approach the throne, isn't it reassuring to know that it is not empty?
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