By the Strength of My Hand

When faced with questions about how God intervenes in the affairs of men, and especially of governments, I have always used Isaiah 10 as a teaching tool. Here in this chapter, we learn that God used Assyria to punish (militarily) the nation of Israel. In fact, God called them the "rod of [His] anger" (vs. 5). He had said to Assyria, "I will send him [Assyria] against an ungodly nation, and against the people of my wrath I will give him charge" (vs. 6). The Lord was providentially working through Assyria to accomplish His purpose, and this is just one of many such examples in the Scriptures.

Of course, I also like to point out how these nations (and leaders) maintained their free-will throughout the unfolding of God's providence. Regarding Assyria, Isaiah writes, "Yet he does not mean so, nor does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and cut off not a few nations" (vs. 7). Did Assyria know that it was performing God's purpose against Israel? No! Assyria had a completely different motivation and mindset. God was using that mindset to fulfill His will against Israel.

But here is where the lesson comes in...

Notice Isaiah 10:12-13...

"Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, 'I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.' For he says: 'By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent..."

God was using Assyria for His purpose and was certainly blessing them with the tools and opportunties they needed to do so, but Assyria refused to acknowledge the Lord's work. Instead of praising the Lord, they praised themselves. They saw their own strength and wisdom as the source of their success.

Dear reader, God doesn't just work providentially with nations and governments. He is working providentially in our lives as well. Like Assyria, we maintain free-will, and like Assyria, we may not realize that the Lord is presently using us, or working through us; we may think that we're pursuing a completely natural course that we've chosen for ourselves. 

And it's true that we don't typically see God's providential work in our lives until after the fact. However, let's not be so ignorant of God's involment in our lives that we foolishly pat ourselves on the back. As we learn in Isaiah 10, God may work providentially through us only to punish us after the fact for failing to give Him the glory, instead glorifying ourselves.

Be ever watchful for God's hand. Always praise Him for the blessings and opportunities you've been given. And through prayer, always make yourself available to God. As Isaiah himself declared in Isaiah 6:8, "Here am I! Send me."