Ezra Chapter 1: verses 2-4 (NLT)
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”
Sometimes God uses unexpected things and circumstances to accomplish His will for us. The exiles would not have expected Him to use the king of Persia to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, or to issue a decree for them to be blessed on their journey.
We should never dismiss what seems a surprising provision that may be an answer to our prayers. I have seen this personally on more than one occasion and am beginning to cotton on a bit quicker than I used to. God can move by whatever ways He chooses and we should be careful not to ignore something that has His hand on it. Who are we to say how God should move, or through whom? Even the people we may have written off as disinterested in the things of God can be used as tools in His hand to prove His sovereignty. Cyrus was a blessing to the Jews. Who will God use to be a blessing to us, and just as importantly, are we willing to be a blessing to others?
Dear Lord,
I am grateful for Your blessings, however they come and the fact that they are new every morning. Help me to see Your hand at work and to be open to be used as a blessing to others. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.