Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 54:16

"Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy." — Isaiah 54:16 (ASV)

And that bringeth forth an instrument for his work: and I have created the waster to destroy.

When he does his worst, he is only doing what I meant he should do. The divine decree of God still, with its mighty circle, does encompass the worst deed of man, and overrules it all for the good of his Church.

Behold, I have created the smith that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

Even over the most wicked and the most powerful of men, there is the supremacy of God; and deep and mysterious though the doctrine is, yet divine predestination applies even to such sinners as Judas Iscariot, and the vilest of the vile in all times; and in this is our confidence—that God is greater than death, the devil, and hell; he is supreme above all the malice, craft, and cruelty of the worst and the greatest of men.