Have I Not Heard?

Scripture:
Have you not heard?
    Long ago I ordained it.
In days of old I planned it;
    now I have brought it to pass,
that you have turned fortified cities
    into piles of stone.
2 Kings 19:25

Observation: As, through the prophet Isaiah, God rebukes the king of Assyria, this is his explanation. Yes, Assyria has overthrown many other nations, but only because that was God's plan all along. Had Assyria not heard? God planned all of this years and years ago. God chose to remove the other nations from the earth, and Assyria was simply his instrument. God brought all this to pass.

That the king of Assyria did not know this has no bearing on the truth. That he believed in his own might did not change the Lord actions. However, that he now proclaims blasphemy against the Lord ... that's a different matter.

God knows everything about the king of Assyria ... where he is, what he is doing, and what he is saying, even at that very moment (v27). In taking action, God won't need some other foreign power to rise up, and he won't even need Jerusalem to successfully defend itself, but instead he simply kill 180,000 soldiers that very night and thus drive off the king of Assyria in humility and fear.

Application: Have I not heard? The Lord is in complete control!! His plans are secure!

Have I not heard? There is nothing that happens for which he is surprised, or unable to address, or concerned about how someone may mock him when they feel proud of their triumph over his people.

Have I not heard? The evil may even appear to have success, but that is only earthly success and is done with a design and purpose understood and established by the Lord himself.

Have I not heard? The Lord has even set the timing of correction for those who do not trust in him, those who openly mock him. He can take care of that situation when he chooses to no longer endure their blasphemy.

I have heard.

Prayer: Lord, even this morning you reminded me of Shalom. My peace is not in a restful life, but rather it is found in total confidence of your control, might, wisdom, and love. I lose sight of that in so many moments, but not in a general sense of my life. I surrender to your plan, knowing that it is good and with an awesome long-term outcome established long ago. Amen.