In My Reading of Isaiah....

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with my post below.  I just like it.

Isaiah 10:5-6  Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!  Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 
What??  Assyria - one of the worst, barbaric nations ever - is the tool that God is using to discipline His people?  Yikes!  God chose one of the worst nations to bring about pain on those He loves the most.  Hmm.  What would He choose to use on me?  What would it take to get my attention when I stray from the path of righteousness and choose (yes, choose) to sin?
Okay, let's see...
1. Don't take my children or grandchildren.
2. Don't take my husband - actually this should be first.
3. Don't ruin my reputation.
4. Don't give me cancer...again.
5. Don't make me blind, deaf, lame, etc.
My list is much longer, but as I am typing it, I am struck by the fact that I would want to tell God how to discipline me.  I don't want Him to choose my tormentors. No way.
Let's move down the passage.
Isaiah 10:10-13  "As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols, whose carved images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria, shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols as I have done to Samaria and her images?" When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.  For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones.
Okay, again...
He used the Assyrians to bring about repentance in His people (Israel and Judah.) Therefore, He will use whatever means He sees fit to bring about our repentance and then He will turn to punish those He has used as they are gloating over our weakened conditions and bragging about their (?) accomplishments. For by the strength of MY hand I have done it and by MY wisdom...not the hands/wisdom of the tormentors. God is Sovereign over all. Period. Do not doubt it.
People watch believers when they fall and are quick to make judgments. Respond well.  Look to the Lord in repentance and keep pressing on in the faith.  God did not save perfect people...I promise. That is not a requirement.  All He wants are yielded, repentant hearts that will live for Him, for His glory alone.  Whether or not He removes the tormentor, we can know He does all for our good.
Isaiah 10:24-25  Therefore thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: "O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did.  For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction.
I realize that this is written in the Old Testament and Christ has come and conquered death for us. Nevertheless, we are to be repenters of sin.  We are to strive for holiness. We will answer to God for what we do, and what we say.  This life is no longer about us if we are believers, but about the One Who gave His life for us.  God chastens those He loves.  And that in itself is a gift of love.
And with that I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!