From: September 24, 2024
“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed” (Isaiah 45:1 ESV).
Nearly 200 years before his birth, Isaiah prophesied the coming of one named “Cyrus” whom God would call his “shepherd” (Isa. 44:28) and his anointed. This prophecy is amazing not only for the details of the future event, but for the specificity of his name as well as the fact that God would anoint a non-Jew to shepherd his people.
This prophecy was fulfilled when the Persian King, Cyrus the Great, conquered the many kingdoms of the Middle East and beyond, including Babylon. The Babylonians had previously defeated Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, and taken its people captive. These Judean exiles had lived in Babylon for 70 years, when Cyrus not only overthrew Babylon, but also decreed that its exiles could return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. Isaiah’s prophecy even foretold that Cyrus would be involved in the rebuilding of the Temple (Isa. 44:28) and the book of Ezra recorded its fulfillment (Ezra 1:1-4).
The Cyrus prophecy in Isaiah is amazing. God revealed both the fall of Jerusalem and its future restoration to Isaiah. This prophecy not only encouraged the prophet Daniel and the Jews who were exiled in Babylon, it continues to encourage believers today. For we understand that the fulfilled prophecies in God’s Word show that the unfulfilled ones will also be fulfilled, perhaps in our lifetime.
That God would anoint a Persian king to rescue Israel seems unbelievable in this day of animosity between Persia (modern day Iran) and Israel. Yet God is not done with Israel nor Persia. For one of the fastest growing Christian movements in the world is happening among Iranians. Great numbers of them are coming to faith in God’s true Anointed One, the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we see and hear the news of our day describing wars and rumors of wars. Yet we are not anxious. For we know that You have a plan and a purpose for us. Help us to focus on You and on fulfilling Your Son’s great commission to make disciples of all nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 24, 2023
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT).
The apostle Paul closed his prayer at the end of chapter three with a beautiful benediction. He reminds us that all the glory (credit, thanks, honor, worship) belong to our omnipotent God. When we are able to rightly give God all the glory, we no longer limit what our all-powerful God might do through us. For His power is so great that we are unable to even ask or think of all that He is able to accomplish in and through us.
We read of the great things God has done in days gone by and we believe. Yet we doubt that He will do even greater things through us today. Could it be because we fail to give Him the glory due Him? What might God do through one who would give Him all the glory?
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are able to do all that You have decided to do. We give you the glory due Your Name today. Forgive us for taking credit or forgetting to honor You for even the smallest blessings You have bestowed on us. Today we are determined to give You all the praise and glory as Your mighty power works in us to accomplish all that You desire. Have Your way in us. Release Your Spirit to move and to save in our city, nation and world. We are amazed at You, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 24, 2022
A PRAYER FOR INNER STRENGTH
The apostle Paul prayed that the Lord would empower the believers in Ephesus with “inner strength” from the Holy Spirit, whose power is glorious and unlimited. Literally, he prayed for strength for their “inner man,” which is the human soul.
We seem to know more about how to find strength for our bodies. We know to sleep and rest, to eat and to exercise, but we know little about strengthening our souls. Yet God, who made both the inner and the outer man, is the real source of strength for both. And His power is “glorious and unlimited.”
Are you facing something today that requires inner strength? Look to the Lord! He is able to empower you with glorious and unlimited strength from His Spirit.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You already know the outcome of the day before us. We don’t even yet know what inner strength will be needed to face the trials of today, much less tomorrow. Empower us from Your glorious and unlimited resources in our inner selves through Your Holy Spirit. Help us to stand for You and bring glory to Your name this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 24, 2017
Americans may point to the First Amendment as the protection of free speech in our country. But it was revealed to the apostle Paul that it is actually those who are in Christ Jesus who have been given freedom of speech with God the Father. For those who are in Christ Jesus have been given both “boldness and access” to God. “Access” means that the curtain of separation between sinful man and holy God has been removed. Christ has opened up the “way” to God. We may enter into the very presence of God in Christ. Not only have we been granted an unlimited audience with God, we have been given freedom to speak all that we have on our hearts to Him. Yet, as Albert Barnes’s has noted, this “boldness is not rashness” and this confident access “is not presumption.” But we are able to approach God the Father with the freedom of being His children without fear of rejection.
From: September 24, 2016
That God is still at work, even in our being “formed” in the womb, is a consistent biblical theme. From God’s point of view, there are no unwanted pregnancies, for He wants that which He has formed. Surely, He made the heavens and the earth, but He also leaned in to make us. And He leaned down to give us Jesus, born of the virgin, crucified, died, buried and raised to be our Redeemer, that we might be born again.
From: September 24, 2015
Are you raising children without a husband to help? You don’t have to go it alone. I often heard my mother quote this psalm in prayer after my father died. She was only 31 years old when she found herself a widow. She raised four children alone. Yet, not alone. She called on God to keep His promise to be a Father to her fatherless children and a Defender, a Husband, to her. I think He heard her prayers. My life and calling are a testament to her prayers and God’s promise.
From: September 24, 2014
I often heard my mother quote this psalm in prayer after my father died. She was only 31 years old when she found herself a widow raising four children alone. She called on God to keep His promise to be a Father to her fatherless children and a Defender, a Husband, to her. I think He heard her prayers. My life and calling are a testament to them.