Choose Me! – Family Devotion – February 7, 2022

Read: Isaiah 6:1-8

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it, he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:5-8

Choose Me!

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The teacher needs a volunteer. Some students eagerly raise their hands and jump up and down, wanting to be chosen. Other students try their best to hide, hoping not to be chosen. Which one are you? What if the teacher says she needs a volunteer to clean up a milk spill? Are you jumping up eagerly wanting to help or working hard not to get chosen?

Being chosen can be quite exciting—picked first for the kickball team, chosen to be line leader, team captain, or the main role in the school play. Being chosen can also be intimidating—the coach chooses you to shoot the buzzer-beater that could win or lose the game for your team, or you are chosen to give the answer in the class game that could win extra recess for the class. In these instances, you might feel a little nervous or not ready.

In our reading for today, Isaiah felt very unworthy to be chosen. He was standing in front of the holy God who was seated on his throne and surrounded by angels. Isaiah was so scared that he was shaking as he stood before our perfect, holy God, knowing that he was unworthy because of his sin. God used one of his angels to touch Isaiah’s lips with a live coal, changing Isaiah’s standing before God. Isaiah could now stand before God confidently, as a forgiven child of God and a worthy choice, not because of anything Isaiah did, but because of God’s act of choosing Jesus to suffer and die to take away all sin. Because his sins are and his guilt is wiped away, Isaiah eagerly volunteers to be chosen. Instead of focusing on his shortcomings, Isaiah focuses on God’s love for him and with excitement states, “Send me! Choose me!”

God could have used angels for his work, but he has chosen you. You might be excited about being chosen, or like Isaiah, you might feel unworthy or unprepared. Sinful, imperfect you. Forgiven, child of God—you are his chosen messenger. Like Isaiah, let us excitedly jump up and down and say, “Send me!”

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for making me your child. Thank you for forgiving all my sins. Give me confidence as I work as your messenger. Help me to see the opportunities to share your Word, and give me the words to say. Knowing your Holy Spirit is always with me, Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• When do you like to be chosen (picked first)?
• Who do you want to tell about Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why did Isaiah feel unqualified to stand before a holy God?
• What makes you worthy to be God’s messenger?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What makes sharing God’s word hard for you?
• Discuss with your family how to become better at sharing God’s Word.