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 6:8
They stand as four simple syllables, Here I am, Lord. They sound easy enough to offer to God, but what about the story behind those words? Are they really applicable for believers today?
A churning deep within me longs to hear God clearly and walk in obedience to Him. I desire to follow in the faith of Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet who offered those words centuries ago, as God’s obedient, trusting mouthpiece voicing loud and clear the will of her Father. Maybe you do too?
I’ll admit, however, there are times when I read Isaiah’s story and fear echoes in my ears, drowning out courage. And when God calls me to do something hard, something far outside my comfort zone, I’m tempted to stutter step.
Perhaps Here I am, Lord isn’t as easy as it seems. But then again, maybe God’s ways are higher than our own, and He can be trusted.
Shall we dig further into the meaning of Isaiah 6:8 and its call for believers today?
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Who Was Isaiah and What Was His Message?
In times before Jesus came to earth, God searched for a willing servant to speak His message. Hello Isaiah.
He was called to deliver a hard message of accountability, one that was refused. And the kicker? Isaiah knew he and the message would be rejected.
The Old Testament prophet stood in front of the temple as a vision from God unfolded with clarity undeniable. Call it one-on-one with the Almighty.
Isaiah saw the Lord, high and lifted up, His splendor filling the temple. The majesty of this scene rose even more when one of the seraphim, a majestic, winged being attending God, cried, “Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3 WEB)
Isaiah soaked in the vision. The magnitude of it caused him to consider his own sin, a sense of doom coating his thoughts. After all, how could a sinful person see the perfect, sinless God and survive?
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God Still Asks "Whom Shall I Send?" Today
As Isaiah pondered the vision, one of the seraphim touched his lips with coal, assuring his guilt had been removed and sins are forgiven. Many see this as symbolic of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection – His forgiveness of our sins when we are washed clean and made acceptable in His sight.
At that moment with the seraphim, Isaiah’s doom lifted. He turned from his human insufficiency to the overflowing, temple-filling awesomeness of God. And he heard God.
“I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’” (Isaiah 6:8a WEB)
Then, these words filled the prophet’s mouth: “Then I said, ‘Here I am. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8b WEB)
God is asking that question to believers today: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Are you willing to answer?
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
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The Context of "Here I am Lord" vs Society Today
During Isaiah’s time, the Israelites lived life knee-deep in the muck and mire of their sin and wayward acts. They mocked the “Holy One of Israel,” simply failing to grasp the severity of their unrighteous and less-than-praiseworthy decisions. To top it off, they simply didn’t care, liking how life flowed and refusing to change.
Does this sound similar to society today? Perhaps…
Even in their rebellion, however, God cared for His people. He desired to reach them with His love, drawing them back to the safety and hope found only in Him. And so God sent His message via Isaiah, knowing full well it would be refused.
But still, He offered it.
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"Even in their rebellion, however, God cared for His people."
The prophet realized it would be rejected too, but he still offered his heart, mind, mouth, and feet as a messenger. Because God was worthy, the message of hope was as well.
Holy, holy, holy…
Believer, can you imagine?
This message of God is worth the carry—regardless of society’s response.
The hope found with the Almighty justified Isaiah’s journey. Hope through Jesus validates ours today. The slight hint of even one person turning from their wicked ways and toward God, the true giver of hope, makes every bit worth sharing.
Are you willing to answer?
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
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What Does the verse Isaiah 6:8 Mean for Believers Today?
Love goes to great lengths. And our God is love.
“We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” (1 John 4:16 WEB)
Our faithful Father continues to reach out to people with His love even today, His desire to draw them near burns bright as it did generations ago.
God continues to use believers who are willing to trust and be obedient to Him. Because He desires that none should perish.
“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 WEB)
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"...this dying world needs the everlasting love of Jesus."
Consider Billy Graham, David Wilkerson, Joyce Meyer, Priscilla Shirer, and Lysa TerKeurst. They’ve spread the message of salvation in Jesus Christ to people who are walking in sin and in their own ways, not God’s. They’ve been mouthpieces to sound warnings and encourage men and women—even children—to turn toward Jesus.
Consider also the Sunday School teacher, a janitor at work, the woman or man who conducts Bible studies in prison, the country preacher, parents, grandparents, artists, or teachers called to walk the halls of and instruct in schools daily. Each houses a message, whether widely offered in the public eye or tucked somewhere behind the scenes, one-on-one.
I’ve personally been ministered to and encouraged in the Lord by several noted above. In fact, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and be my Savior due to the fervency of a messenger like Isaiah. It required many conversations and tenacity on her part, but I thank God for my pastor’s wife at a small country church in Newnan, Georgia. Because of her desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ, I will enter heaven for eternity.
(See these scriptures for more on salvation if you have questions or want this assurance of heaven.)
How about you, believer? If you’re saved, you carry God’s message. Whom shall He send? You?
Whether small reach or large audience, this dying world needs the everlasting love of Jesus.
Whom will go and deliver the message?
Are you willing to whisper, Here I am, Lord?
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Offering the Hard Message that Scripture Brings
Sometimes people don’t want to hear God’s truth like I responded initially with my pastor’s wife and certainly how the Israelites did in Isaiah’s time. The struggle continues today.
As long as people walk on earth, sin will exist. But so does the offer to turn back to God.
When called to share the message of hope, we might be scared of how others will refuse that news or how we’ll look to them. Fear causes our knees to shake a bit.
And so we struggle to offer the hard message.
But we can take courage from Isaiah. He delivered difficult news anyway, setting hope in front of a people unwilling to listen. He warned of devastation as a result of waywardness. In the midst of it all, he trusted God. After all, perfect love casts out all fear.
Trust in God stands key. Will we?
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The Important Scripture message for You
An important message awaits delivery—the one relaying the intensity of God’s love and promise of eternity in heaven through salvation in Jesus Christ. Also, there’s deliverance and healing while here on earth, encouragement and courage in the face of discouragement, and much more in life with the Lord.
God’s healing on earth, whether emotionally or physically, is life-changing. I’ve experienced it. Perhaps you have too. Others are waiting.
People are grateful after a touch from Jesus. They stand changed. They live free. Just look at the man who found healing in the pool (John 5:1-15), the paradise-bound robber crucified alongside Jesus in Luke 23:39-43, or Mark 7:24-30 , a passage in which a Greek woman’s daughter was healed of a demon.
His hope for today and eternity still stands.
Our Lord scours the earth for messengers to offer His truth, to speak life to those walking in rebellion, dancing with death and destruction—folks in need of healing and hope.
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Who will go?
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.’” (Matthew 9:36-38 WEB)
Will you be one who whispers Here I am, Lord?
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A Prayer to Begin the Journey
Father,
You are a holy, patient, and loving God, and I love you. Thank You for the hope of heaven through Jesus Christ. I’m so grateful You loved me even when I was unlovely. Send me with Your message, Lord. Here I am. Use me to spread Your news of love, encouragement, or correction to the recipients you’ve ordained. I will go and trust You. Endow me with wisdom to discern Your voice and the courage to complete the journey. Prepare those who will hear. All glory to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Kristi Woods, writer and speaker, is passionate about women walking deeper with God. She writes regularly and offers faith-building tools at www.KristiWoods.net. She contributes monthly at iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com and is published in three Chicken Soup for the Soulpublications. Kristi, her husband, and their three children survived a nomadic, military lifestyle, and have set roots in Oklahoma. Connect with Kristi here: Facebook and Pinterest.
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin and history of specific verses within Scripture context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
"Be Still and Know that I Am God"
"Pray Without Ceasing"
"Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"
"Faith Without Works is Dead"
"Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart"
"All Things Work Together for Good"
"Be Strong and Courageous"
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Originally published Tuesday, 18 January 2022.
