Tuesday, April 21
Read Isaiah 10
Think About It:
If God cannot bring us to repent through His word, then He must lift His hand and chasten us. If we do not submit to His chastening, He must stretch out His hand and judge us. God is longsuffering, but we dare not tempt Him by our careless or calloused attitude. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
God used the Assyrians to chasten Judah, He would not permit his “tool” to exalt itself in pride. Assyria was His rod, club, axe, and saw (10:5, 15, 24), but the Assyrians treated the Jews like mud in the streets (verse 6) and plundered the land like a farmer gathering eggs (verse 14). God’s purpose was to discipline, but the Assyrians were out to destroy (verse 7). They boasted of their conquests that did not give Glory to God.
God used Assyria to discipline his people, but He would not permit this Godless nation to go beyond his purposes. God may use unbelievers to accomplish His will in the lives of his people, but He is always in control. We need never fear the disciplining hand of God, for He always disciplines in love (Hebrews 12:1-11).
Read the first paragraph again. Perhaps we should all plan to spend more time in the Word.
Family Time:
- Unto whom will woe be pronounced? (verses 1-2)
- Who will return to the mighty God? (verses 20-22)
