October 6th, 2026
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Reaching Out to the Unreachable
The world to which God called Isaiah for ministry was not much different from the one in which we live.
The southern Israelite Judah was founded on God's Law but the kings and citizens had turned away from it. It’s spiritual condition was trending from bad to worse. In the 6th chapter of Isaiah we get the account of God's powerful calling of his prophet to proclaim his warning to the people. At the time, King Uzziah had died and the people were in a dangerous transition of leadership.
When Isaiah accepted the call of God he received some very disturbing news about his ministry. He would preach his heart out! He would stand steadfastly for God's Word and he would call rebellious people to turn back to God. However, verse 9 and the following verses say that the people would hear but not understand. They would see, but NEVER perceive. Their hearts would be calloused and their ears would be dull and their eyes would be closed.
Do you remember the old THREE STOOGES skits on TV where there might be an explosion or some kind of catastrophic occurrence and one of the Stooges, usually Curly or Larry, would cry out, "I CAN'T SEE! I CAN'T SEE! Moe would turn to say, "You can't see! What's the matter?" The Stooge would then, in a mocking tone whine, "I HAVE MY EYES CLOSED!"
It wasn't that the Israelites couldn't see. They simply refused to see what God was trying to show them. They refused look at God and his way. They were intentionally keeping their spiritual eyes tightly shut.
Today, it seems as if we live in a time where Paul's final verse in Romans 1 is being embraced, "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:32
Isaiah was an amazingly articulate preacher and writer. His messages were vivid and powerful. The images God gave him were clear and true. In all of his ministry, through the reign of 4 kings, not one convert would be made. Was he a failure in ministry? Hardly, God used him then and he uses the Prophet powerfully now to let people see their shortcomings (i.e. their sins). He showed them where God wanted them to go and what he wanted them to do.
When you share God's Word, or the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with someone who rejects you, don't give up. Isaiah didn't! He was not a failure! Why? Because he never quit until his time came to go into eternity with God.
This Sunday at First Christian Church we will dive deep into the well of God's Word and examine the powerful sixth chapter of Isaiah with a message titled, When God Calls. We will get in touch with God's power, his redemption and his call. I hope you will come and dip your spiritual ladle into this well. You may even want to take the plunge.
Still Reaching,
Jon
Reaching Out to the Unreachable
The world to which God called Isaiah for ministry was not much different from the one in which we live.
The southern Israelite Judah was founded on God's Law but the kings and citizens had turned away from it. It’s spiritual condition was trending from bad to worse. In the 6th chapter of Isaiah we get the account of God's powerful calling of his prophet to proclaim his warning to the people. At the time, King Uzziah had died and the people were in a dangerous transition of leadership.
When Isaiah accepted the call of God he received some very disturbing news about his ministry. He would preach his heart out! He would stand steadfastly for God's Word and he would call rebellious people to turn back to God. However, verse 9 and the following verses say that the people would hear but not understand. They would see, but NEVER perceive. Their hearts would be calloused and their ears would be dull and their eyes would be closed.
Do you remember the old THREE STOOGES skits on TV where there might be an explosion or some kind of catastrophic occurrence and one of the Stooges, usually Curly or Larry, would cry out, "I CAN'T SEE! I CAN'T SEE! Moe would turn to say, "You can't see! What's the matter?" The Stooge would then, in a mocking tone whine, "I HAVE MY EYES CLOSED!"
It wasn't that the Israelites couldn't see. They simply refused to see what God was trying to show them. They refused look at God and his way. They were intentionally keeping their spiritual eyes tightly shut.
Today, it seems as if we live in a time where Paul's final verse in Romans 1 is being embraced, "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:32
Isaiah was an amazingly articulate preacher and writer. His messages were vivid and powerful. The images God gave him were clear and true. In all of his ministry, through the reign of 4 kings, not one convert would be made. Was he a failure in ministry? Hardly, God used him then and he uses the Prophet powerfully now to let people see their shortcomings (i.e. their sins). He showed them where God wanted them to go and what he wanted them to do.
When you share God's Word, or the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with someone who rejects you, don't give up. Isaiah didn't! He was not a failure! Why? Because he never quit until his time came to go into eternity with God.
This Sunday at First Christian Church we will dive deep into the well of God's Word and examine the powerful sixth chapter of Isaiah with a message titled, When God Calls. We will get in touch with God's power, his redemption and his call. I hope you will come and dip your spiritual ladle into this well. You may even want to take the plunge.
Still Reaching,
Jon
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