Reading: Isaiah 45
My Verse: "Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and to loose the belts of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:
I call you by name,
I name you,
though you do not know me.
I equip you,
though you do not know me. (Isaiah 45:1,4,5)
It is passages like this that cause me to be amazed that anyone could deny You exist, LORD God. Prophecy fulfilled - the mighty Cyrus the Great was not only foretold but an instrument to fulfill Your purposes.
Cyrus the Great of Persia born sometime between 600 and 576 BC and died in battle in 530 BC reigned for some 30 years. He left an amazing legacy - not just for what he did for Israel but the government practices he developed and used and in how he treated conquered peoples.
He is a wonderful reminder of how You use people, even those that do not acknowledge You as their LORD! The bible is replete with these examples but Cyrus the Great does stand out. Thank You for this, LORD God. So often it is hard to understand what is happening when things are not going as I think they should be going not only in the world at large but in my own personal life.
I like the phrase from this song,
"I don't understand what You are doing,
but I know Who You are."
That is something to hang onto.
Your purposes, LORD God, are beyond our understanding.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).
And Your purposes, Oh LORD God are forever and relentless. You use us in those purposes as we allow, our incompetence and waywardness does not put You off. I recall a wonderful friend of mine speaking about Your purposes. She was talking about her church and how she felt they were not seeking You with all their hearts. In frustration she said, "They are missing God's blessings!" And that is what happens isn't it LORD God. If we do not allow You to have Your way in our lives to further Your purposes we miss Your wonderful blessings.
"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of His heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:11).
The LORD Almighty has sworn,
"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will happen" (Isaiah 14:24).
Your plans and purposes are relentless throughout history. This is something we can be thankful for. Especially as our world seems to be growing more - chaotic, ugly, mean.
Thank You, LORD God for Your steadfast purposes as You deal with this messy world.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and to loose the belts of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:
I call you by name,
I name you,
though you do not know me.
I equip you,
though you do not know me. (Isaiah 45:1,4,5)
It is passages like this that cause me to be amazed that anyone could deny You exist, LORD God. Prophecy fulfilled - the mighty Cyrus the Great was not only foretold but an instrument to fulfill Your purposes.
Cyrus the Great of Persia born sometime between 600 and 576 BC and died in battle in 530 BC reigned for some 30 years. He left an amazing legacy - not just for what he did for Israel but the government practices he developed and used and in how he treated conquered peoples.
He is a wonderful reminder of how You use people, even those that do not acknowledge You as their LORD! The bible is replete with these examples but Cyrus the Great does stand out. Thank You for this, LORD God. So often it is hard to understand what is happening when things are not going as I think they should be going not only in the world at large but in my own personal life.
I like the phrase from this song,
"I don't understand what You are doing,
but I know Who You are."
That is something to hang onto.
Your purposes, LORD God, are beyond our understanding.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).
And Your purposes, Oh LORD God are forever and relentless. You use us in those purposes as we allow, our incompetence and waywardness does not put You off. I recall a wonderful friend of mine speaking about Your purposes. She was talking about her church and how she felt they were not seeking You with all their hearts. In frustration she said, "They are missing God's blessings!" And that is what happens isn't it LORD God. If we do not allow You to have Your way in our lives to further Your purposes we miss Your wonderful blessings.
"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of His heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:11).
The LORD Almighty has sworn,
"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will happen" (Isaiah 14:24).
Your plans and purposes are relentless throughout history. This is something we can be thankful for. Especially as our world seems to be growing more - chaotic, ugly, mean.
Thank You, LORD God for Your steadfast purposes as You deal with this messy world.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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