OUR LORD’S SOVEREIGN RULE!
OUR LORD’S SOVEREIGN RULE!
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem, and let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” —Ezra 1:1-4
“But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares the LORD, and “will make it desolate forever.”
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. —II Chronicles 36:22
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. —Isaiah 45:4
God works through a pagan king to bring His people back to Jerusalem exactly 70 years after their exile to Babylon just as it was foretold by Jeremiah the prophet. Not only that but He also foretold that Cyrus, the king of Persia would enable His people to return to Jerusalem. God is not hindered by time, by rulers, by circumstances or anything else. He will accomplish what He desires. So it is in our day. He will do what He desires regardless of those in power positions or whether they believe in Him or not. His will always goes forward. May You and I be wise in what He is doing and work along with Him and not against Him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgpaULjZOl8
Not only did King Cyrus enable them to return to Jerusalem, but He also aided them by encouraging that “silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem” be given to them. Yes, God worked through a king He had put in position to do His will even though that king did not acknowledge Him—- “I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.”
“In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him” (Proverbs 21:1). Rulers, lost or saved are in our Lord’s Sovereign hand. He will direct them as He desires. Let us take great comfort in this. Whether in our time or any other time He is ultimately in control and His purposes are being carried out. So let us be about His business and be faithful to what He has told us through His Word— that “love letter” to us. Yes, Dear Father so be it by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x8TZiwPGa0