By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 2: The Sovereignty of the Call
Week 8: The Human Struggle (Reluctance & Fear)
Anchor Scripture: “So I said: ‘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 my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.'” — Isaiah 6:5 (NKJV)
The Teaching
The human struggle with the prophetic call often reaches a breaking point not when we see our enemies, but when we see the King. Isaiah was a man of noble birth, likely a man of high character and polished speech. But when he was ushered into the visionary encounter of the Throne Room, his self-confidence evaporated instantly. He didn’t say, “I’m honored to be here”; he said, “Woe is me, for I am undone!”
The word “undone” in Hebrew is damah, which means to be cut off, to be silenced, or to perish. It is the feeling of being “unraveled.” Before God can use a prophet to address the “unclean lips” of a nation, He must first allow the prophet to see the “uncleanness” of their own lips. This “Woe” is a sovereign part of the calling process. It is the total collapse of the prophet’s self-righteousness.
A prophet who hasn’t been “undone” by the holiness of God is a dangerous person. Without this encounter, they will speak from a place of superiority, judging others from a “high horse.” But the prophet who has cried “Woe is me” speaks from a place of profound humility. They know that they are just as desperate for grace as the people they are called to admonish. The “undoing” is the only thing that makes the “sending” possible.
Prophetic Insight
If your call to the prophetic office has made you feel “holier than thou,” you haven’t truly seen the King yet. The closer you get to the light of God’s holiness, the more you see the “dust” on your own soul. Do not be afraid of the “Woe.” When you feel completely unworthy and “unraveled” in God’s presence, you are exactly where He wants you. He isn’t showing you your sin to destroy you; He is showing you your need so that He can purify you. The most powerful prophetic voices in history are those who have been deeply broken by the realization of God’s perfection.
The Activation
Spend time today in “The Prayer of Isaiah.” Instead of asking God for a word for someone else, ask Him for a vision of His holiness. Say, “Lord, show me Your glory.” As He reveals His highness, allow yourself to be “undone.” Acknowledge your own “unclean lips” and your own inadequacies. Don’t run from the feeling of unworthiness; let it bring you to a place of total dependence on His mercy.
Daily Prayer: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts! I stand in awe of Your majesty. Like Isaiah, I confess that I am a man/woman of unclean lips. I am undone in Your presence. I repent for any pride or self-righteousness I have carried in my calling. I recognize that I am nothing without Your grace. Thank You for the ‘Woe’ that brings me to the altar. Purify me, Lord, for Your glory. Amen.
