“Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him.” Isaiah 45:1
Dear Ones:
Where does power come from? We might qualify that question by asking another one: What is the nature of true power from heaven’s standpoint, and what are the qualifications for receiving it? In James’ epistle, we find that the motive in asking God for wisdom is essential to consider, for God will not give what we ask for if our motive in asking is not in alignment with the purpose of God. In other words, God always gives that which is good, in accordance with His nature, and purpose, that which is in accordance with His good and perfect will. Will He give power to “steal, kill, and to destroy?” He does not give power from heaven, that blessed energy and enablement, strengthening the believer to will and do of His good pleasure, unless by the receiving of that power, God’s blessed and highest purposes are envisioned, and sought. What then are “patterns” that God has written for us in His word, which are like stepping stones to receive His power and strength?
When Cyrus, the king of Persia, appears in the historical record, we find that it was not by accident. God had planned his coming, even giving to the prophet Isaiah the knowledge of his coming, long before it occurred. It is in examining God’s dealings with him as recorded in Isaiah, that we discover these stepping stones whereby the we can receive the power of God when needed, for the accomplishment of His will for His glory.
The first stepping stone is the calling of Cyrus. The Lord said of Cyrus: “…He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure.” (Is. 44:28) He will go on to specifically declare one aspect of his calling that would involve Israel directly. Cyrus is designated to provide the authority and resources to rebuild Jerusalem, and lay the foundation of the temple. Key to this accomplishment is God’s direct work in the heart and mind of Cyrus. In 2 Chronicles 36:22, we find where the Lord, “…stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia.” Cyrus’ calling was so clear and convincing, that he wrote: “…All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and HE has charged me to build Him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (v.23) The first stepping stone is the calling of God, that initiative and commitment of God, taken and revealed to the believer that Christ is King. Commitment to the calling is essential.
The second stepping stone has to do with the specific declaration of God’s provision to accomplish the mission. The Lord speaks of Cyrus being His anointed. What does this mean? Anointing in the Old Testament not only spoke of authority given, because of a position declared. It spoke of the provision of every essential, available resource of God. God anoints to enable, with the promise of His of commitment to provide, He reiterates this matter of authority by saying, “…whose right hand I have holden.” (45:1) The authority and power come from God, communicated in response to faith to His servant and shepherd.
The next stepping stones are those specific promises of God given for faith to lay hold of. The first is, “…I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates: and the gates shall not be shut.” God gives His power and authority, superior to those of the kings of the earth, in order to give Cyrus, and the believer, not only the opportunity to conquer, but the power to do so. He then promises to go before Cyrus to prepare the way, making the crooked places straight. With regard to the obstacles, both physical and spiritual, that resist the coming of the kingdom of God, the Lord says: “I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.” (v.2) Mountains are removed, and the gates of Hell are breached.
Dear Father, Give us grace to KNOW clearly our calling, submit to Thine authority, and believe Thy promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad