Hello Everyone,
Do you know that our Lord Jesus Christ can stir up the heart of those that are not Christians including hostile authorities so that He can accomplish His plans on earth? God has the power to use anybody and anything to fulfil His plans because He is supreme. God owns the whole world, and every single thing is subjected to Him (Hebrews 2:8). My daughter loves singing this famous song that says "He's got the whole world, in His hands, God's got the whole world, in His hands, He's got the whole world, in His hands, He's got the whole world in His hands."
Let me share a story in the Bible with you. There was an ungodly king called Cyrus that reigned in Persia from 559 to 530 (B.C - BC stands for Before Christ). He wasn't an Israelite neither did he believe in the God of Israel. The Bible recorded something amazing that happened to Ezra in the Book of Ezra 1:1-2. It says:
"The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah."
Did you notice what king Cyrus said above? He said the Lord God of heaven has commanded him to build a house for Him in Judah. This was a man that did not believe in the Lord God of Israel but because the Lord stirred up his spirit, God used Cyrus to establish His sovereign plans on earth.
King Cyrus further stated in Ezra 1:3 that: "Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem."
There are a number of lessons that you can learn from how God stirred up the spirit of an ungodly king. Let me share a few and please feel free to add more lessons to it:
1a) God can stir up the heart of anyone towards Him. This means if you are trusting God to transform someone's life, please don't give up praying to God. Keep praying and trusting God even when things seem impossible. At the perfect time, God will stir up the heart of the person towards Him. Likewise, you could be praying concerning hostile leaders, never give up praying as God can make a way where there seems to be no way. He can stir up the heart of a king or a leader towards Him. In fact, Proverbs 21:1 says that "The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases."
1b) Also, God can stir up the heart of anyone to favour you. You do not need to have a special relationship with the person before God uses them to favour you.
2) It is not by accident that people accomplish God's purpose for their lives. Did you know that 100 years before Cyrus accomplished an assignment for God, Prophet Isaiah had prophesied that Cyrus will be a shepherd for God and he will do what God says and he will play a role in rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the temple (Isaiah 44:28)? This is quite encouraging to know that God's desire is to cause His children to accomplish His work on earth. Although I believe sin in an individual's life could delay God's plans for their lives from being fulfilled or for the plans to be cut short (Deuteronomy 28:15). Therefore, it is advisable for you to keep walking in obedience to God's Word so that His plans for your life can be fulfilled as He intends them to be.
3) Don't be too quick to dismiss what a non-christian tells you. Take time to examine their advice in line with the Word of God, and also ask God to speak to you concerning what someone has said even if they are a Christian.
Are there other lessons that you could pick out from how God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus? Please, take a minute to share by leaving a comment.
Prayer
I would like to use this opportunity to pray for Christians that are in Afghanistan. I pray that the Lord will keep them safe during this difficult period in Jesus' name. I also pray that the Lord will stir up the spirit of the leaders in Afghanistan to favour Christians, and for the gospel to keep being spread across Afghanistan in Jesus' name.
Have a lovely week!
Yours in Christ,
Mysses Lafunky
I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How they lived a Purpose Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download on Google Drive for free, click here.
