Devo Isaiah 14 Sept 14

Chapter 14
3 On the day the LORD gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil
and from the harsh labor forced on you, 4 you will take up this taunt against
the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his
fury has ended!5 The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter
of the rulers,6 which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows,
and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression. 7 All the lands are
at rest and at peace; they break into singing. 8 Even the junipers and the
cedars of Lebanon gloat over you and say,“Now that you have been laid
low, no one comes to cut us down.”9 The realm of the dead below is all
astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to
greet you— all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise
from their thrones—all those who were kings over the nations. 10 They
will all respond, they will say to you, “You also have become weak, as we
are; you have become like us.” 11 All your pomp has been brought down
to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out
beneath you and worms cover you.12 How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you
who once laid low the nations!

Personal Note:
The LORD declared judgement on Babylon.  Babylon was once a powerful nation and it was completely destroyed just like the once powerful Roman Empire.  The prophecy from Isaiah was given when the people of God was under the bondage of Babylon rule.  God allowed Babylon to rule over them because of the disobedience of the Israelites.  God's judgement and promise come true.

Today, I see powerful forces who are supposed to serve the public abusing tax payer's money which could have gone into good use for the poor and the needy.  People everywhere are longing for a reform in structure that truly look out for the interest of citizens.  Today's passage is a promise that God was faithful in delivering His people from oppression in the past, and God is faithful in delivering us from the struggles and frustrations today.