Isaiah 44-48

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2044-48&version=ESV

Isaiah 46:9-1o "remember the former things of old;for 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,'"

In chapters 44 and 45, we read of the great prophecy of Cyrus.

Isaiah wrote this prophecy probably around 700 B.C. and Cyrus came to be king of Babylon around 550 B.C.

In this prophecy, the Lord names Cyrus by name. He says that Cyrus will be the shepherd of His people. That He will accomplish His will by using Cyrus.

As I discussed yesterday, liberal scholars and theologians scoff at predictive prophecy in the Bible. So, they come up with theories to explain away the prophecy. One theory is that a later author came along and then went back and wrote Cyrus in Isaiah after the events had transpired. The author who comes in and fills in the details after they have come to pass is known as a redactor.

I don't want to take that track in my post today. But I want to focus on how sovereign God is. God uses people that we would not think of to accomplish His purposes.

Cyrus was not a believer. He was a pagan from Babylon and worshipped their Gods. Yet, God used this pagan to accomplish His will.

Often times in church, we see some one who is appointed to do something, and our fleshly nature comes out.

We say, "He is not qualified, he has not been a member of the church long enough, she is not pretty enough, or they are not articulate enough."

But our response instead should be to support these individuals for the Lord may have willed them to do these tasks. They may fail. However, we must realize that the Lord is sovereign. He will accomplish His purposes with us or without us. I would rather be involved with Him in fulfilling His purposes!!!!

The prophecy of Cyrus, outside of the prophecies of Christ, is probably one of the most important prophecies in the Bible. The prophecy shows how God is over history and how He works through history. How He did this in such minute detail, is really a testimony to God that He is God. As many of you have heard the old saying, "History is His story."

Read this prophecy, and reflect on how God is sovereign. How He has been sovereign in History and how He has been sovereign in your own life.

If you would like, share with us how you have experienced God's sovereignty in your life. We would be blessed to hear how God has and is working through you.

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.