How to Survive a Bad Year
Bro. Randy Webb · October 6, 2026 Tuesday Night Campmeeting Main text: Isaiah 6:1–8 (KJV) “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” — Isaiah 6:1 Introduction: Do not let one year control the rest of your life Some years remain fixed in our memories because of death, disappointment, or the failure of someone we trusted. Long after that year has passed, its pain can continue affecting how we live, worship, and relate to others. Isaiah remembered the year King Uzziah died—but that was also the year he saw the Lord. Bro. Randy draws three responses from Isaiah’s experience: see God, see yourself, and see others.
Read Isaiah 6:1–8 in the KJV- 01
See God: Get your eyes on the King who never fails
- Uzziah’s throne was left empty, but the Lord remained seated upon His throne, high and lifted up. Earthly loss had not changed God’s sovereignty.
- People we respect may disappoint us. Their failure does not mean God has failed or that He can no longer be trusted.
- Remember the Lord’s faithfulness. When Jesus asked His disciples whether they had lacked anything when He sent them out, they answered, “Nothing.”
- When grief or disappointment clouds your future, turn toward the Lord. Keep calling on Him and looking to the One who remains faithful through changing circumstances.
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1–4; Luke 22:35.
- 02
See yourself: Let God search and cleanse your heart
- Seeing the Lord’s holiness caused Isaiah to recognize his own need. His response was not merely to describe the condition of others, but to confess his own uncleanness.
- Surviving a difficult season requires honest reflection. Allow God to examine your heart rather than keeping all your attention on what someone else has done.
- Isaiah’s confession was followed by cleansing. The coal from the altar touched his lips, and he was told that his iniquity was taken away and his sin purged.
- Respond to conviction with prayer. Do not let concern about what others might think keep you from seeking the Lord and receiving what you need.
Scripture: Isaiah 6:5–7.
- 03
See others: Answer God’s call and help carry someone
- After Isaiah saw the Lord and received cleansing, he heard God’s call: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” He responded, “Here am I; send me.”
- Genuine compassion reaches beyond our own family and circle. The needs of others should matter even when they do not affect us personally.
- A church’s greatest concern should not be limited to buildings or finances. Lost souls coming to Christ should move us to prayer, action, and rejoicing.
- Bro. Randy urges believers to help carry someone else’s burden. Serving another person can become part of how we persevere through our own difficult season.
Scripture: Isaiah 6:8.
Closing challenge: Look up, look within, and look around
What year still weighs heavily on your heart? Bring that loss, disappointment, or hurt to the Lord. See Him as faithful, allow Him to work in your own heart, and remain willing to help someone else.
The message closes with an invitation to pray and yield to the Holy Ghost. Do not let embarrassment keep you from responding. A bad year does not have to end your usefulness to God. You can still answer His call: “Here am I; send me.”