"I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel Who call you by your name" (Isaiah 45:2-3).
When You spoke these words through Your prophet Isaiah, You weren't directly speaking to the leaders or the people of Israel, though they were intended to encourage them. You didn't speak these words directly to the sons and daughters of God who had come to a place of surrendering their control and entrusting their lives to You as Lord and Savior, though they were intended to encourage Your believers of all generations to come. Rather, You spoke these words directly to a prideful, pagan king, who didn't yet know You, who worshipped other gods in his life, who thought all his choices and actions were for his own purposes and pleasures as the master of his own universe and the ruler of his own life. You were speaking to Cyrus, the ruler of Persia (v. 45:1).
Cyrus was not a prophet or priest, not a king or the coming Messiah of Israel; but nonetheless, he was one You chose in Your sovereignty and wisdom to be "anointed" (v. 45:1). He was one You chose for Your purposes, even before he chose You as his God: "He is My shepherd, and he shall carry out My purpose" (v. 44:28). Even before he would willingly bow his knees to You as the personal Lord of his life, You would bow his will to Your purposes as the sovereign Lord of all.
His life is a picture of the mystery of both God's sovereignty and human free will at work at the same time in all of our lives. There are "Cyruses" every day who have very strategic positions, accomplishing Your purposes, in ways we don't always see and rarely understand. And our part is pray for them, even if we don't agree with them. We don't have to condone or even always tolerate all that they do and say and represent. But we do need to pray that they would come to know You, and that in the meantime, their choices would be used for purposes-"so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name" (v. 45:3).
Lord, bow my will for Your purposes. Let me trust that You are at work in all things in my life. And You were at work long before I ever made the choice to fully trust You with all my life. Just like You are working through all things in the lives of each one You have created, "not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). And remind me to bow my knees in prayer for the "Cyruses" in my life and in this world. Remind me to pray for those who don't yet know You, but You know them and have called them by their name to be used for Your purposes in their lives and in the lives of all, so that we may all know that You alone are God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
Come to the Fountain This Friday Night! June 17th, our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering (3rd Friday) for prayer, praise, and healing worship with the family of God as one, from many different churches and traditions under the name of Jesus. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters, to be refreshed and renewed in the Presence of God, as we worship Him and welcome Him to heal us and free us in spirit, soul, and body. We meet monthly in the Chapel at Centenary UMC, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, Kentucky at 7 PM. We have various worship leaders from our area lead us in worship each month. This month, Andrew Eberheart will be leading in worship and Linda Dulin-Moore will be leading in prayer. All are welcome! Please come and bring a friend. Please spread the word!
Friends, please keep our Ministry finances in prayer. These summer months are typically lean financial months for us and, like a missionary, I raise all my own support for ministry in leading Messiah Ministries to fulfill our calling and vision. I would love to speak with you or someone you may know about our calling and vision, as well as our needs. Please consider being one of our regular supporters in prayer and provision. God bless you!
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Subscribe: www.messiah-ministries.org/home
Reply: TommyHays@messiah-ministries.org
Order our Resources: www.messiah-ministries.org/resources
Give to the Vision and Calling of Messiah Ministries:
