Day 5 - God is All Powerful
Read Isaiah 14:24-27
The greatest source of comfort for any believer is found in the complete and boundless power of God. He allows terrible events to happen but is always powerfully overseeing every nuance of history. He allows terrible events to happen but causes, by His power and will, all things to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Isaiah 14 is a comparison between the power of God over and against the greatest nations of the earth. Further, the chapter specifically identifies Lucifer as the power behind these great and terrible nations. Ultimately, what this chapter really compares is God over and against every power that is seen and unseen. The chapter firmly declares and establishes that God is supreme, that He will judge evil, and that He will deliver His people.
The Lord begins the chapter with a proclamation of blessings, rather than an overview of the problem. His blessings include mercy for Jacob, continually choosing Israel, returning them (His people) to their own land, adding strangers to their houses, giving them servants, causing them to rule over their oppressors, and providing relief from sorrow, fear, and hard bondage. He even commits to giving them a new proverb, a testimony of His power.
Verses 24-27 highlight the mind of the Lord as He regards the nation of Assyria. First, the Lord makes an oath (v24). This is a declaration from Heaven and contains the full power and authority of the Godhead within. He states that His thoughts and purposes will come to pass and will stand (v24). These thoughts regarding Assyria and Israel are fully and perfectly formed. The Lord has thought about these events and is intentional in their fulfillment. He is fully committed to accomplishing these things with all of His power.
He promises to break Assyria and free His people (v25). He stretches the boundaries of this promise not only over Israel and Assyria, but He declares that His purpose and his hand (power) will be against the whole earth and over all the nations (v26). In other words, this oath now involves the entire human race! In this moment, the Lord is openly stating that there is no power in heaven or on earth that will prevent Him from doing exactly as He pleases. “For the LORD of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?” The Lord makes a declaration and then dares anyone and everyone on the planet to stand in His way. Now that’s power!
During this time of fasting and praying, my prayer is that you will remember that the Lord has made particular promises toward each of His children. He will always be with you. He will keep you from falling. He will present you faultless before the Father. He will supply your physical needs like food, water, clothing, and shelter. He will meet your mental and emotional needs. He will fight your battles as you learn to surrender your strength to His power, fully trusting in Him. He has declared it and His divine power will cause these things to happen!
The reality is that no person or nation or power on earth or in heaven can stand in the way of His power. Even as terrible events surround you, whatever they are, remember that God has made promises to keep you in every way. Remember that nothing and nobody can keep God from keeping His promises.
by Ira Hill