OUR SOVEREIGN LORD
OUR SOVEREIGN LORD
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” —Ezra 1:2-4
God uses/works through those who are leaders in this world. This is what He did with the king of Persia. He worked through that king to carry out what He had promised about 150 years or so previously—
“This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself… who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” ’ —Isaiah 44:24, 28
King Cyrus was head of a world power and the Lord worked through his influence to carry out His purposes in Jerusalem. The Jews, as God moved Cyrus, had the king’s favor. Why did he favor the Jews? Well, not knowing his relationship toward our Lord, one thing is surely certain. The Lord encouraged Cyrus to be favorable toward the Jews and to move on their behalf.
The same happens today. God can, and does, move world leaders to accomplish His will. Don’t forget— “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). This may raise many questions in our minds, and should, but the fact is our Lord God Almighty is ultimately in control and He is fulfilling His purposes— many of which we do not understand at this present time— “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror” (I Corinthians 13:12). There is much we do not know that we need to trust Him for. In the meantime, let us live faithfully with all that He has revealed to us— “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). So, let us be faithful to the Word He has revealed to us. Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoqUbgDdHV8&list=RDLoqUbgDdHV8&start_radio=1