Reading: II Chronicles 33 - 36
My Verse: "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: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, had given me, and He has charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up [to jerusalem]" (36:22,23).
This is quite an amazing verse and an amazing piece of history! Cyrus the Great was not only stirred by You, LORD God but actually did what You stirred him to do!
First, Cyrus apparently acknowledged You as "LORD, the God of heaven." This could not have been an easy thing for Cyrus to do. It is said he was raised in the religion of Zoroastrianism which is a monotheistic religion thus making it easier for him to understand the God of Israel. I still think it was a hard thing, as it is hard for most great men to acknowledge You as LORD.
Second, Cyrus recognized that it was You that gave him victory over all the kingdoms that he conquered! "All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of Heaven, has given to me." This is especially difficult. So many great warriors and conquerors want to take pride in their own abilities. It is so wonderfully refreshing to see this in a great man like Cyrus. "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, and I will unarm and ungird the loins of kings to open doors before him, so that gates will not be shut. . . . And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, Who call you by your name" (Isaiah 45:1-3)! Praise You, LORD God for such a man!
Finally, he did what You wanted him to do and that was to restore the Israelites to their country, Israel. And to help them to rebuild their temple and city. "I will raise [Cyrus] up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; he will build My city and he will let My captives go, not for hire or for a bribe, says the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 45:13). He responded rightly to the stirring of his heart!
How we need our spirits stirred by You LORD God! And then we need to respond to You - to the stirring of our hearts. Oh, do not let me grow tepid!
Thank You for artists like Sarah Grove, who put into words and song the needs of our souls!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "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: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, had given me, and He has charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up [to jerusalem]" (36:22,23).
This is quite an amazing verse and an amazing piece of history! Cyrus the Great was not only stirred by You, LORD God but actually did what You stirred him to do!
First, Cyrus apparently acknowledged You as "LORD, the God of heaven." This could not have been an easy thing for Cyrus to do. It is said he was raised in the religion of Zoroastrianism which is a monotheistic religion thus making it easier for him to understand the God of Israel. I still think it was a hard thing, as it is hard for most great men to acknowledge You as LORD.
Second, Cyrus recognized that it was You that gave him victory over all the kingdoms that he conquered! "All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of Heaven, has given to me." This is especially difficult. So many great warriors and conquerors want to take pride in their own abilities. It is so wonderfully refreshing to see this in a great man like Cyrus. "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, and I will unarm and ungird the loins of kings to open doors before him, so that gates will not be shut. . . . And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, Who call you by your name" (Isaiah 45:1-3)! Praise You, LORD God for such a man!
Finally, he did what You wanted him to do and that was to restore the Israelites to their country, Israel. And to help them to rebuild their temple and city. "I will raise [Cyrus] up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; he will build My city and he will let My captives go, not for hire or for a bribe, says the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 45:13). He responded rightly to the stirring of his heart!
How we need our spirits stirred by You LORD God! And then we need to respond to You - to the stirring of our hearts. Oh, do not let me grow tepid!
Thank You for artists like Sarah Grove, who put into words and song the needs of our souls!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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