Most people, when they set off on a journey, like to know where they are headed. Surprisingly, however, the journey of life is largely left up to subjective opinions or resigning oneself to being agnostic about one’s destiny. How many of us are simply content to be comfortable now, and for the foreseeable future? Such an approach to life is manifested in the decisions we make. We think we can determine and control how life will turn out for us. Such things make God chuckle, I’m sure. Or maybe it is what saddens Him.
Do we believe that history is directed? Is there a higher purpose for which to live? Or is faith just something we subjectively grasp in our private thoughts for comfort, without much impact on the big issues of life?
In 538 B.C. a pagan king made a proclamation that the people of Judah were free to go back home to their land, rebuild the temple to their God, and that their neighbors should support them materially in this endeavor. This pagan king was Cyrus, the Persian. Around 700 B.C., long before Cyrus was even born, Isaiah, the prophet of Jehovah, predicted that he would make such a decree. Through the prophet, God called the pagan king Cyrus, My shepherd who will fulfill all My purpose.
At the beginning of the Judean exile to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar, about 600 B.C., Jeremiah prophesied that the exile would last seventy years. Daniel, in exile, read Jeremiah’s prophecy, which compelled him to a prayer of confession and intercession for his people so that they would be fit to return to the land God had promised their forefathers. The progression is clear – Isaiah’s prediction, Jeremiah’s prophecy, Daniel’s prayer, and Cyrus’ proclamation. Someone is connecting the dots! Even Cyrus recognized that, when he said, God … has charged me to build Him a house which is at Jerusalem. I’ll bet he learned from history books what Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way, that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. Indeed, Jehovah was disciplining and directing Judah as the family/nation through which Messiah, Jesus, would come.
God is directing history.
He has a plan for His people.
He is faithful.
Let’s make this the foundation of our attitudes, ambitions, and affections. May God’s Spirit compel us to be faithful stewards of the time, resources, and relationships He has entrusted to us. Then, let us trust Him because He is good.
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times
things not yet done, saying,
“My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose”
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
Isaiah 46:9–11
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