“Thus says the
LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held– To subdue
nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double
doors, So that the gates will not be shut: `I will go before you And make the
crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the
bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of
secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name,
Am the God of Israel. For Jacob My
servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I
have named you, though you have not known Me.” (Isaiah 45:1-4 NKJ)
LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held– To subdue
nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double
doors, So that the gates will not be shut: `I will go before you And make the
crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the
bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of
secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name,
Am the God of Israel. For Jacob My
servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I
have named you, though you have not known Me.” (Isaiah 45:1-4 NKJ)
Perhaps we are
shocked to learn that this Persian king was an anointed servant of God.
Shouldn’t God only use someone from his own elect people to achieve his
purposes? This attitude leads to a grave error of understanding. God is not
only God of the righteous, he is also God over the whole universe.
shocked to learn that this Persian king was an anointed servant of God.
Shouldn’t God only use someone from his own elect people to achieve his
purposes? This attitude leads to a grave error of understanding. God is not
only God of the righteous, he is also God over the whole universe.
Today’s passage is
literally jam-packed with the promises of God. Note what he promises to his
anointed ones. God holds their right hand (he gives them power). God subdues
all their enemies (they are never defeated; their enemies tremble). God is
their ambassador (they will have no obstacles; they will have no difficulties;
all opposition will be removed). God gives hidden treasures to them (they are
blessed in ways previously unknown to them). God convinces them that the One
who called their name is God (his actions convince them that he alone is God).
literally jam-packed with the promises of God. Note what he promises to his
anointed ones. God holds their right hand (he gives them power). God subdues
all their enemies (they are never defeated; their enemies tremble). God is
their ambassador (they will have no obstacles; they will have no difficulties;
all opposition will be removed). God gives hidden treasures to them (they are
blessed in ways previously unknown to them). God convinces them that the One
who called their name is God (his actions convince them that he alone is God).
One last thing, the anointed of God must know that God’s call is to his
service; his purpose and plan. His purpose is to save those lost in sin’s
darkness and bless those who place their trust in his saving grace.
These jam-packed
verses of Scripture are not for the anointed’s personal collection of stories
and blessings. Remember, “that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private
interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Peter 1:20-21 NKJ).
verses of Scripture are not for the anointed’s personal collection of stories
and blessings. Remember, “that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private
interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Peter 1:20-21 NKJ).
God didn’t raise
Cyrus up to glorify Cyrus. He elevated and blessed Cyrus so that Cyrus would
glorify God by liberating God’s people to worship and serve and glorify God. It
also why God called me and blessed me . . . to serve, worship and glorify him
by ministering to his people.
Cyrus up to glorify Cyrus. He elevated and blessed Cyrus so that Cyrus would
glorify God by liberating God’s people to worship and serve and glorify God. It
also why God called me and blessed me . . . to serve, worship and glorify him
by ministering to his people.
Dear Father, thank
you for calling my name to serve you. Empower me with your Spirit and your
anointing. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for calling my name to serve you. Empower me with your Spirit and your
anointing. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Obey God’s plan
today,
today,