“I am the Lord, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,
that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
– Isaiah 45:5-6
Isaiah 45 is a wonderful reminder that even when world events look dramatic, chaotic, or frightening, God is in control. Through Isaiah, God declared His intention to raise up a pagan king, Cyrus of Persia, to sweep across the ancient world, toppling established empires. Why? To free the faithful remnant of Israel from captivity in Babylon. Why? To rebuild Jerusalem and restore worship in a rebuilt Temple. Why? So that people from every nation, tribe, and ethnic group on Earth will know and someday worship the One True God!
God is sovereign over the empires and nations of the world. He causes them to rise and fall to suit His purpose of redemption and glorification. To accomplish His missionary will, the Great Commission. Even the most evil of nations can reveal God’s glory through their unexpected fall or by the ways they unintentionally serve His purposes. Cyrus of Persia was no gentle lover of peace but he was still God’s instrument. Remember this when bombs are falling and missiles are flying.
Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done. Pray for Him to be glorified in times of fear, uncertainty, and violence. Trust in the Lord rather than the opinions of human experts. Stay focused on the work God has prepared and appointed for you to do. Make disciples. #FollowJesus