Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long?

The state of the Church

I. NOTICE A FEW THINGS AFFECTING THE STATE OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE WORLD WHICH ARE CALCULATED TO EXCITE THE ASTONISHMENT AND GRIEF OF THE CHRISTIAN.

1. The little progress which Christianity has made after a lapse of eighteen hundred years.

2. The prevalence of irreligion in those parts of the world which are professedly Christian.

3. The low state of religion in the Church itself.

4. The obstacles which the Church presents to the increase of vital piety.

II. HOW LONG THIS STATE OF THINGS IS TO CONTINUE, or when we may reasonably expect another, and a better.

1. There is a connection established between the spirit or the state of mind generally prevailing in the Church and its prosperity, or the extension of religion in the world. As soon as the Church is thoroughly alive and truly devoted to God, the time of her enlargement is at hand.

2. The second point respects the inquiry, what is that state of mind which must generally prevail in the Church in order to the extension of religion in the world?

(1) It is absolutely necessary that the Church should realise her position and feel her responsibility.

(2) It is absolutely necessary also that the Church should feel sympathy with her Lord in His intense solicitude, or in the accomplishment of the great purpose of His mediation.

(3) Until this state of mind prevail in the Church our efforts will not be of such a character as God can greatly bless.

III. HOW MAY THE CHURCH BE BROUGHT INTO THAT STATE OF MIND WHICH APPEARS TO BE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN ORDER TO HER EXTENDED USEFULNESS AND TO THE DIFFUSION OF THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD! Every man should begin with himself, and everyone who is awake should endeavour to awaken his brother. (J. J.Davies.)

Isaiah’s attitude towards his message

The prophet cannot venture to intercede for the people, nor does he dare to give vent to his sorrow over the need of this stern message save by the words, “How long, Lord?” How long shall I have this painful and fruitless duty to perform! (P. Thomson, M. A.)