Prayer: Father, I pray for new insight and understanding of Your Word today. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 45 key: vs. 1-6 “Thus says Adonai to His anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him, to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him so that gates may not be shut. I will go before you and make crooked places straight. I will shatter bronze doors and cut through iron bars. I will give you treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, so you may know that I am Adonai, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by name, I have given you a title of honor, though you have not known Me. I am Adonai—there is no other. Besides Me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known Me, so they may know, from the rising to the setting of the sun, that there is no one besides Me. I am Adonai—there is no other.” TLV
Attention: Through the prophet Isaiah, Adonai declared Cyrus “His anointed.” Adonai purposed Cyrus, a Persian king to do His bidding. The Babylonians had done Adonai’s bidding when they came to Jerusalem and ransacked the Temple around 605 B.C under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar and deported the first wave of exiles which included Daniel. I found a great timeline on Timeline of Events – Bible History (bible-history.com).
Who was Cyrus? According to the Holman Illustrated Dictionary, “Cyrus’ military exploits have become legendary. However, he is best remembered for his policies of peace. His famous decree in 539 B.C. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4) set free the captives Babylon had taken during its harsh rule. Among these prisoners were the Jews taken from Jerusalem in 586 B.C. They were allowed to return to rebuild the temple and city. Along with this freedom Cyrus restored the valuable treasures of the temple taken during the exile.”
Cyrus was purposed by Adonai, to end the Babylonian reign and restore Jerusalem and the temple. Adonai declares that even though you do not know me, I will “strengthen you.”
Adonai establishes that there is “no one besides Me. I am Adonai—there is no other.” He exalts who He will exalt and humbles who He would humble. He is Supreme. He is above all others. His purposes will be fulfilled.
All these prophetic declarations of Adonai were recorded by the prophet Ezra and revealed again in Isaiah. Could it be that Adonai has a modern-day Cyrus who is fulfilling His purposes? For sure, His purposes are being fulfilled and will be fulfilled one day.
Action: I choose to embrace that Adonai is Supreme and His purposes are being fulfilled.
Yield: I choose to yield to the sovereignty of Adonai.
Engage: I choose to engage in the sovereignty of Adonai.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate, obedient holiness with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I praise You for Your sovereignty. You are above all others. You are supreme. I choose to acknowledge You as Lord. Amen.
Memory Verse: Isaiah 45:5-7 “I am Adonai—there is no other. Besides Me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known Me, so they may know, from the rising to the setting of the sun, that there is no one besides Me. I am Adonai—there is no other. I form light and create darkness. I make shalom and create calamity. I, Adonai, do all these things.” TLV
Music Video: Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir—He is Lord https://youtu.be/UBy8K29Mlos?si=JBxNmaSN7oXdXTWN
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”