HE WILL STRIKE YOU WITH A ROD
«Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: ‘O My people, who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian. He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt’ » (Isaiah 10:24).
It is difficult not to be afraid of a punishment that has been announced. My mother had a paddle she used when we disobeyed. My older sister was mischievous, and she would run away to avoid the punishment. I hated to see that situation, so I decided not to run if I deserved to be disciplined, and I would only get a light swat! Once, my sister imitated me: after she started to run, she stopped, and my mother took advantage of the situation to make her pay for the punishments she had missed out on before. This was my first lesson of justice and mercy.
Judah deserved to be disciplined for their disobedience, so God used Assyria as his punishing rod. Meanwhile, Assyria thought that it was their own power and might that was giving them the victories. When God’s protection was removed, Assyria carried out their ungodly work. Why would God punish Assyria, when they were doing what He wanted? God, just as my mother when we were small, knows the motives behind each of His children’s actions. The motive of Assyria’s attack was not to cooperate with God’s divine plan, but to demonstrate that their gods were stronger than the God of Israel. God is in control of our lives, and He will judge our actions with mercy, so there was no reason to fear the Assyrian rod. Judah would be punished, but just like my mother’s paddle, no harm would be done. God’s wrath is always mixed with a greater degree of mercy.
«Proud and boastful Assyria plans to cut down Judah as she has the other nations of the East, but Assyria must learn that there is a God who rules the nations of earth.»—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 156. God is merciful, even when He allows us to suffer the consequences of our mistakes, and He is present to help us get through trials.
«Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be open for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon your Burden Bearer.”- The Ministry of Healing, ch. 4, p. 72.
God’s love for you is greater and even more tender than the love of a mother.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate