Through the prophet Isaiah, God has been warning that discipline is coming via the nation of Assyria for Judah’s rebellion against His will. Times of difficulty and hardship can make anyone wonder—Does God still love us? Is God really in control? Why is this happening? Isaiah now has an encouraging word for Judah that even in God’s discipline there can be peace in knowing that God will do what He says. Through faith in God’s promises His people find strength to endure.

What God Plans and Purposes Will Happen

24 The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand” (ESV).

Many of us like to plan our days and weeks and years, but what we plan often fails. We are limited in our knowledge and power, so we cannot predict what tomorrow may bring or what other people may do to interfere with our plans. We have limited resources and time, so we may not be able to do what we want.

God has none of those limitations. He is 100% successful in all that He plans. He is all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent), and present in all times and places (omnipresent). He has every resource needed to accomplish what He desires, and He wants people to trust Him so that we can be at peace as we endure whatever He brings into our lives.

Discipline Is Temporary

25 “That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.”

Assyria would bring destruction in Judah for a time, but God had already determined that their rule would soon end. God would break them before Judah was entirely destroyed.

All discipline is painful at the time (Heb. 12:11), but it will not last forever. It will end when it has accomplished God’s purposes. We can endure and trust God in the midst of it.

Look to the Future

26 This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.

This verse foreshadows the future Judgment Day for all the earth. All the guilty will be punished and evil will be brought to an end. While we face difficulties and suffering today, we can remember that God is still in control and we can wait on Him to accomplish His purposes. As we look forward to the return of Jesus Christ, we can live securely and without fear because we know the One who holds the future.

His Hand Can’t Be Stopped

27 For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

God never has to adjust His plans for the world or for each individual. Even the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus were part of God’s plan from the beginning (Eph. 1:3-6). His purposes and plans can’t be thwarted. No person or nation or evil powers can stop Him, and those who belong to Him can be sure of His unending love.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present or things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-29).

Two Reminders

1) God wants you to endure and be at peace. When we know we don’t have control over our lives and our future, we need to remember that He does.

2) Endurance and peace come from trusting God at His word. It can’t come from relying on other people, ourselves, or our own plans and desires. It’s also not just an abstract sense of calm that God pumps into us. It is trusting specifically in what God has promised in the Bible. We need to know His Word so we can trust it.

“In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:10-11).

Discussion Questions

1) Have you ever faced painful consequences for disobedience to God? How did you feel about God during that time and then after it passed?

2) Have you ever wanted to ask God why certain things are happening? Would it change your perspective if you asked these questions instead: How might God use this circumstance to change me or my loved ones? How might God show me something about Himself through this? How might God be teaching me to trust Him more fully? How might God be displaying His strength in my weakness?

3) What promises in Scripture have sustained you in hard times? Here’s a website with 160 Scripture promises that might encourage you: https://outuponthewaters.com/160-promises-of-god-from-scripture/