God used Assyria like a mighty weapon to pour out his wrath on the nations, including Israel and Judah. But God did not use Assyria because it was any more righteous than the nations it subdued. After all of the destruction and devastation of the nations, there would be judgment on Assyria and a chance for the remnant of God's people to return to God.

We all experience trauma and abuse to a greater or lesser degree, and we cannot avoid it. It may be from our own sins or from the sins of others. The power of sin is strong, and it works to define who we are and destroy us. But God does not want us to be bound to the things that have hurt or abused us. God is the healer and came to restore even the small remnant of hope that remains in us. God sent Jesus as the empathetic healer who knows sorrow and trauma and has risen from the grave to give us new life. We, too, can be healed and be like Jesus, an empathetic healer. No longer do we need to live in fear, shame, and powerlessness.


Application: Lord, you break the power of the oppressor and give us renewed hope, life, and power. May we rely on your redeeming love.
One Word: Be free from the yoke of oppression.