Isaiah 14

ScriptureIsaiah 14:23“…I will sweep her with the broom of destruction,”declares the Lord Almighty.Observation - What does it say?Babylon was the greatest and most powerful kingdom at the time. This nation oppressed all the others and no one could withstand them. They were filled with pride at their greatness and forced harsh labor on God’s people.God declares through Isaiah that God will give his people relief from the Babylonians and when he does the people of God will turn and taunt Babylon. In this taunt they quote God having said the way he would destroy Babylon would be like sweeping her away with a broom.Understanding - What does it mean?How powerful is God?! The greatest and most powerful kingdom on earth, that all other kingdoms fear, is destroyed by God like a small ant hill being swept away with a broom. God didn’t need an army or great weapons, just a broom. One sweep and Babylon had vanished. (I don’t take this literally and believe God actually had a broom, but believe it’s a picture used to illustrate how easily God defeated this mighty empire.)God bears no war scars or battle wounds from fighting his enemies. He always wins! He is seated, a posture of peace and rest, in the heavens until his enemies become his footstool. He doesn’t even have to try. He has no match or equal. All creation is completely at his mercy. He causes light to shine, nations to be destroyed, sicknesses to be healed and storms to cease all with just a word.And this God has chosen us to be on his side, a part of his own family. If this all-powerful God is our Father and is for us, who could be against us? What do we have to fear or be anxious about that God cannot take care of?Romans 8:31b-33If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.Life ApplicationFear God and also rejoice that he has chosen us to be on his side! Rejoice that his is slow to anger and quick to love! Rejoice that he is merciful!God, we come to you in reverence and awe. You could easily destroy us all (which we deserve!), yet instead you have chosen to extend mercy to those who would believe in you. Praise you, God! You are so good! Today, we declare that our faith is in you alone. Our hope is in you alone. When we begin to feel afraid or anxious, remind us that you, Almighty God, are for us. Amen.