Woe Is Me | Wednesday
Devotional
Isaiah’s response to seeing God wasn’t celebration – it was devastation. ‘Woe to me!’ he cried. ‘I am ruined!’ This wasn’t false humility or religious posturing. When confronted with perfect holiness, Isaiah saw himself as he truly was – a sinner in desperate need. This is radically different from many modern claims of divine encounters that leave people feeling wonderful about themselves. True encounters with God’s holiness reveal our desperate need for grace. But here’s the beautiful truth: recognizing our sinfulness isn’t the end of the story – it’s the beginning of transformation. Isaiah’s honest acknowledgment of his condition positioned him to receive God’s grace. When we stop pretending we’re fine and admit our need, we open ourselves to God’s transforming power. This isn’t about beating yourself up or living in shame. It’s about the freedom that comes from honesty – with God, with yourself, and with others. Only when we see ourselves clearly can we truly appreciate the magnitude of God’s grace toward us.
Bible Verse
‘All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.’ – Isaiah 64:6
Reflection Question
What areas of your life do you need to honestly acknowledge before God instead of trying to manage or hide them?
Quote
Today people claim to see God, and after they see God, it’s always a wonderful experience, uplifting experience, and it can even be a profitable experience. A lot of people that claim to go to heaven and see God come back and write a book and get an agent and go on tour and make a lot of money. But Isaiah said, woe with me.
Prayer
God, give me the courage to see myself honestly in light of Your holiness. Help me to stop hiding behind excuses and instead run to You with my failures, knowing that You offer grace and transformation. Amen.