“For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire.” vs4-5

When God brings destruction upon our foes, He brings great destruction. He breaks the power of pardoned sin! He gives victory in the battle. His joy and peace is real.

Let us remember all that we have in Christ and rejoice. The God-given oppression may have been long and dreadful, but He gives more grace [James 4:6]. When He alleviates chastisement and subdues temptation, then we run free.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” vs6-7

The zeal of the Lord will perform this great salvation. It is not our doing; it is the gift of grace, just like He gave us His Son, when we were lost, depraved, and unworthy [Rom 8:32]. He came to us in Jesus Christ, and He keeps coming in redemption and mercy [John 13:10]. He never depends upon us but looks to Himself. Everything that we must do, He works in us for Christ’s sake. He is the generous God, giving us eternal life in the Son [1 John 5:11].

Do you believe? Then He has done it! He has chosen, redeemed, and sanctified you. He will break the yoke continually by faith. You are free from the bondage of sin.

“The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it has fallen on Israel. All the people will know—Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria—who say in pride and arrogance of heart:

‘The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.’” vs8-10

Thirdly, salvation is not for anyone who can help themselves; it is for poor sinners, lost and helpless; it is for saints who can do nothing against the terror within and the fears without [2 Cor 7:5.] When we are helpless and CAN’T do it, then God comes in power. This is faith: it is living beyond yourself in reliance upon God.

He will show up, but He fights against those who help themselves: you can’t have His power. Therefore, we, like Paul, are brought down to nothing by trials, adversities, and disappointments [2 Cor 12:7-11]. We struggle in the flesh to realize that we need the Spirit. Growth comes as we are tempted beyond strength and rely on God who raises the dead [2 Cor 1:9].

Let the gospel lead you and feel its power. There is no human strength in salvation.

“Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and spur his enemies on. The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.” Vs11-12

Finally, everyone who trusts himself shall falter. As sure as salvation is in the Lord, it is impossible with man. He will not share His glory, and He will not give it to another [Isa 48:11]. We’ll be saved by grace, or we’ll perish. We’ll be delivered by His strength, or we’ll flounder in sin. We’ll trust imputed righteousness, or our consciences will be defiled, and our works will not be accepted.

As generous as Christ is, if we will not take His salvation freely, then we will not have it [Rev 22:17]. We’ll walk by faith or not with God.