Category: Scripture

The Lowly Prayer Journal

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It has been my observation — Using a simple book (Journal) of blank pages or lined pages to keep a written record of the ideas and experiences in prayer and bible study is not uncommon. Many prayer warriors keep one to remind them of their successes (discovering God’s will) and their failures (stepping outside the swim lane).

This Journal will be full of their ideas, requests, notes on when and how they met the objectives, how they felt, what they talked about, and how God responded. And, most importantly, what they learned while reading and meditation on scripture.

Most people who keep the journal (wall of truth) do not talk much about the journal they are keeping. Occasionally they publish excerpts of their prayers as poetry or prose on electronic media or the printed page – or perhaps an essay or two.

Sometimes the entries are used to develop lyrics for songs. For the most part, their content remains private. If they keep a journal, you know they are spiritual warriors. They stand toe to toe with Lucifer. You would be wise to give them a bit of respect. I do.

The notion of expressing your prayer in writing is as old as the psalms. When David, a mere shepherd by was anointed to King by Samuel, he gradually began to journal his thoughts (inspired by the Holy Spirit) in the form of psalms. You may recall he was a musician and a dancer. It was a small step to integrate his prayer into music and lyrics.

Others such as Asaph, Moses, and the sons of Korah, created a wonderful library of inspired prayers and laments. These songs became the tools used by the Israelites in worship; they psalms become part of their knowledge about the things of God – they became a wall of truth.

This flow of journaled prayer morphed into the early church. Songs and recited liturgy were based upon the journaled prayers of the priests, monks, and scripture. The psalms (journaled prayers) have brought comfort and clarity to many people through the ages who sometimes use them as a beginning point for their own prayers and song lyrics even today. This is how the catechism came to be.

Many psalms are prayers to God and express a wide array of emotions, questions, and conclusions as the writer wrestles with life situations. One reason God placed the book of Psalms in our Bible was to give us examples of the kind of prayers we can create. The prayers in Psalms are honest, heartfelt, and pure streaming thought. We should do no less. We may never rise to the level of David in our thoughts, but we can make notes and write the things that come to our mind. As we review the thoughts, we can see our gradual growth in Jesus.

A prayer journal is an excellent way to keep our thoughts focused as we bring them to the Lord. Prayer journaling also helps document seasons of our lives – things that are important in one part of our life lose importance in other periods of our life. Writing our thoughts on paper helps us clarify them, and, like the psalmists, we gradually are able to develop a proper line of reasoning by the time we finish journaling. During the development process, the eraser is our best friend.

Even our darkest musings can be a seed for a wonderfully honest praise. For example, look at the power of Psalm 121. It starts with a question — I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? The psalm ends with the answer – the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. He is our help. This is an extraordinary flow of thought. Comforting and honest.

I think a journal is a grand tool for the thoughtful focused prayer warrior. The tool is a wonderful register of how God leads us to think about things while studying scripture and how he answers prayer. When we read the history of our life in conversation with the one true living God, we stand a bit easier, knowing he is there. 24/7. We stay on task because we want to stay on task.

For those who are called to pray and study, I thank God you have embraced this calling – you are the vanguard of the living truth.

I choose Jesus.

How Long Did Job Suffer?

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It has been my observation that when the Bible speaks on a topic, the Bible speaks absolute truth. Furthermore, I find no path available (within the confines of absolute truth) to yield on this point and remain faithful to scripture (God’s message). But sometimes, we observe that scripture leaves gaps in the information presented.

What do we do? What should we do? The focus of this essay is one of those gaps. Let us explore the duration (timeline) for the troubles of Job. Scripture does not comment on the complete timeline, but I have attempted to form a reasonable estimate of the timeline drawing from available scripture and a close reading of a map. I chose this subject because it does not present the same struggles that other gaps in scripture do.

Let us start at the beginning. Job was a real person who experienced the real events described in the book of Job. I start with that truth. I believe his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) were earnest but misguided – they were scolded by God at the end of the account (see Job 42:7-9). I believe that Elihu was on point – he was not scolded by God at the end of the account. But it remains, how much time did the story traverse?

The following dialogue is ‘one man’s opinion’ — a safe way to demonstrate how to deal with an unknown. I am not recommending that you build life theology on my findings, rather I traveled this path to try to wrap my mind around the message of Job and to form an understanding for the duration of his woes. 30 years, 3 years, 3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes – these various spans of time all affect the intensity of the account.

We know that Job’s suffering began with the death of his servants and the loss of his livestock. Then his troubles became progressively worse with the deaths of his 10 children and his physical afflictions. We are told that four messengers came, one after the other while the previous one “was yet speaking…” (Job 1:13-19). Scripture says this encounter with the four messengers happened in a single day (Job 1:13).

I think Lucifer would strive to create the maximum amount of chaos in Job’s life (within the limits place upon Lucifer by God) to create the maximum impact on Job. This seems intense but we know God does not permit trouble we cannot endure as long as we lean on God (implied in Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Job chapter 1:13-19 we read — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (NIV)

What a mess. Then a conversation happens between God and Lucifer. This happens while Job is recovering from the troubles. His wife comments on the troubles. (see Job 2). Again, these conversations take about a day. We are prudent to allow time between each key day.

Next, we are told that three of Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) decided to visit him when they heard of his suffering (implied in Job 2:11). We know the name of the places they come from; but we are unsure where the places are located on a map. What do we know about this situation? Numbers 1:2 suggests it takes about 11 days to travel from Egypt to the promised land. I choose to assume Job’s friends lived closer than Egypt. Friends tend to live near each other. I suspect they arrive at Job’s place within 10 days of the initial event (three days to get the notification, four days to prepare, and three days to travel). This assumption suggests a maximum of about 2 weeks from notification to arrival (why? Because they lived close to him).

We know Job’s three friends sat with Job in silence for 7 days. Then his friends conducted a debate with Job containing 9 discourses (see Job 3-27). After Job’s three friends ceased debating, Job speaks on a deeper level (Job 28-31). Finally, Elihu, a young man, arrived and spoke up (see Job 32-37). When Elihu ceased speaking, then God spoke. God first asked questions of Job (Job 38-41), and then He rebuked Job’s three friends. Overall, I estimate about 3-4 weeks for the debate (1 week of silence, 2-3 weeks of debate).

Given the first few days of notifications from the four messengers, the conversation with his wife, the notification and travel time for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and the debate, we find ourselves with about 6-8 weeks of time.

Let us pause to notice how Job responded to the Lord (Job 42:2-6) “I know that You can do everything, … You asked, ‘Who … hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. “

After the three friends left (implied in Job 42:9), God restored Job (implied in Job 42:10). Based on this analysis I suggest the timeline for the troubles of Job and the assorted conversations traversed a couple of months. I prefer to think the restoration (see Job 42) happened over a few years. The Bible simply does not say. But it helps me to understand the flow of events if I place the occurrences for most of the Book of Job into a window of a few months. You may hold a different opinion — I’m good with that. I do not think it would be fruitful to debate this topic much. I formed this opinion as a tool, a framework, to help me visualize the events unfolding as described in the book of Job.

The deeper truth from Job — When God allows us to suffer in any way, or for any length of time, we must remember that He has a purpose (implied in Romans 5:3-5). The absence of a timeline in the Book of Job helps us to avoid comparing the duration of our suffering to Job’s suffering. We are promised God will work all things for our ultimate good and His glory (implied in 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, what matters most is not the length of suffering, or even the severity of our suffering, it is how we choose to embrace the suffering (implied in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Where do we turn for comfort and hope? When we turn to God in faith, our hearts change, and troubles eventually evaporate (implied in James 1:2-4). Then the desired effect of the unknown timeline may produce the outcome God intended (see Psalms 46:10).

I choose Jesus.

We Are Neither Forgotten Nor Abandoned

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It has been my observation that most people think Jesus and the story of Christmas are unnecessary because they do not believe there is a need for Grace. They just do not accept the situation as painted by scripture.

This is what I think — The birth of Christ is an amazing declaration, an eternal statement to all of us. The arrival of Jesus clearly established — God is real; God is just; God offers grace. The heavens were opened and a completely different world came into view through Jesus. The coming of the Messiah as our Savior is confirmed by the veracity of the Old Testament message concerning the new covenant. We know that humans are isolated from God, but we are not forgotten or abandoned. If we were forgotten, no Savior would have been required. If we were abandoned, no Savior would have come. Yet, the Logos came to us in the humblest of circumstances.

So, now what? We were made to traverse this world Walking with God. The birth of that lowly child is the bridge between the old self and the new self. Psalms 111:6-10 says “He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

Isaiah 7:10-17 says — “The Lord spoke to Ahaz, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.’  But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.’ Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. The Lord will bring on you and, on your people, and on the house of your father, a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.’ “See 2 Chronicles 28:14-27 (if you are curious about the king of Assyria).

Jeremiah 31:31-34 says “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

I wonder if Isaiah and Jerimiah understood the full depth and meaning of their prophetic message when they first spoke the message aloud. It is an amazing glimpse into the future, our future.

I choose Jesus.

Hollywood And The Tree Frogs

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When the moon passes by the front window and moon shadows grow long almost laying on the floor, then the birds start to sing, and the sky transforms from twinkly black to a beautiful blue. The clouds began their morning dance as the wind picks up a bit and pushes down the road to the next ranch. Here at the Bent Knee Ranch, Hollywood is first rousing, looking for a sip of coffee and breakfast.

Hollywood says — Ahh…  breakfast; the warm smell of porridge, apples, and raisins in a bowl. Ahhhh… So yummy.

Miss Tillie knows what Hollywood likes and sets out to create a grand morning breakfast. The creative work she does in the kitchen is her offering of service to the one true living God. She says, it is my privilege to be of service to God, to help Hollywood begin his day on the Ranch, and to make this home a small glimpse of heaven. Every task in the house is done to bring glory to God, it is a privilege to serve God in this way. God made us to be creative and to do all things to his Glory – even a thing like cooking and homemaking becomes artwork and ministry as the home she builds is used to serve the community.

Then she asks Hollywood — when do you think the Tree frogs will start singing this year?

Hollywood replies – Soon. Very Soon. The weather is just right. Perhaps before the week is completed. I will let you know what I see when I get out onto the land.

So, Hollywood leaves the house and starts working on his ranch duties. He mends a few fences, checks on the cattle, repairs the barn door, and then rides the range looking for calves that are wandering alone and unprotected. His day is long and he sings to pass the time. He was taught by his grandfather that his work on the land is a ministry to Miss Tillie and the others that come to visit and ask questions about life. But, today he is thinking about Tree Frogs for his Miss Tillie.  He sings a song in his head that his mother taught him many years ago —

Do not look at me with big eyes,

Your glowing look, your sunny sky,

happy days I have come to know,

That tree frog I loved so long ago.

Do not smile for what you do,

It seems my dreams have come true.

We are happy as could be in the blue,

That tree frog smiled so long ago.

He remembers the early days with Miss Tillie. Ranch life was much more uncertain in those days. The thunderstorms often started fires, the wolves were always looking for a free lunch from the herd and the local town was not a nice place to visit.

But times have changed, people grew up and grew wise. Hollywood was part of that change. He did not like to bring attention to himself but he could see the differences in people as he brought peace to the valley of the Bent Knee. He continued singing:

When you speak, I think of trees,

A tree right here in the room with me.

Your voice that calls me so low,

That tree frog lost so long ago.

It is strange how God brings you near,

So many days, so many years.

Now it seems I am moving so slow,

Chasing a tree frog so long ago.

Hollywood smiled. He remembered the songs of his earlier days. Now, his whiskers were a bit gray; he moved a bit slower; he kept a bit closer to the fire in the evening. But his mind was still strong. He loved God, Miss Tillie, the Bent Knee Ranch, the local town, and his cattle. They have lived a grand life. Often people come by in the afternoon to visit and ask questions about their struggles. They know that Hollywood and Miss Tillie have become wise in their old age and they look for his counsel.

But now, it was time for supper, Hollywood found some good things to eat. He chopped and shaped and gently placed his vegetables in the pan to cook them tender through and through. He found a thick steak and placed it on the coals to sear and sizzle until it was a bright pink inside. His coffee cup was empty and he poured Miss Tillie a cup of coffee to have with her meal.

Then Hollywood gave thanks for the meal and quietly watched the sun set on the hills. In the distance he could hear the call of a tree frog, first one, then a second, then a whole choir of singers filling the night with the gentle praise for God’s goodness and mercy as the day ended. Miss Tillie smiled.

Psalm 23:6 — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

The Things We Never See

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It has been my observation while browsing Ezra — he was instrumental in restoring the use of the Jewish scripture and temple practices to the Israelites after returning from Babylon. Ezra was a contemporary of Cyrus. It was Cyrus who conquered Babylon, facilitated the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity, and Cyrus who ordered Babylonian people to furnish the Israelites with necessaries, so that they did not go out empty handed from Babylon any more than from Egypt (implied in Ezra 1:4).

Cyrus told the Israelis — The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me (Cyrus) all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with gold, goods, livestock, and freewill offerings for the new temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:2-4 paraphrased)

As word traveled amongst the nations, the gentiles, trapped in their old ways, came to the Israelis seeking freedom. They approached the Israelis and fell before them saying – surely God is in you – we see what he has done. They wanted to be a part of this migration (Isaiah 45:11-14). They humbly begged to go with the Israelis – they were able to see God moving. This interest by the gentiles is a glimpse of what happened when the New Covenant was put into place.

Zachariah 8:14-23 (paraphrased) says — Just as I had determined to bring disaster to your ancestors and showed no pity when your ancestors rebelled against me, says the Lord Almighty, so now I have determined to do good again to you. As of today, do not be afraid. Speak the truth to each other, render true and sound judgment in your courts. Do not plot evil against each other. Rather, you should love the truth and live peacefully. Many people and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to seek the Lord and petition the Lord Almighty. Many people and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to find the Lord Almighty. In those days, many people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you (NIV).

This promise to Cyrus and the Israelites was a forerunner of the gospel message. We are encouraged in this Zachariah passage to not be afraid, we are told to speak the truth, respect each other, help each other. How do we implement this passage in our life? Consider the incredible potential of the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit upon our daily life. Go back and review the Zachariah passage above. Many of the elements of life in Judah after Babylon are the type of things that the Fruit of the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit cultivate in us. We are told to live peacefully and avoid creating friction with other people. This is the Holy Spirit in action. This is the focus of the new covenant. Love each other!

Imagine a world where people are seeking the one true living God, they are helping each other and worshiping the God they serve. Their prayer is focused on others rather than themselves, seeking help to fix issues. People within all stratifications of life from the immensely powerful to the lowliest are seeking the counsel of God (Gifts of the Spirit). For those who are speaking God’s word into others, people clamor to hear and learn. This is an amazing vision of what could be. What ought to be. What can be.

We the redeemed are enabled by God. His Spirit infuses us, always leading us to do things that help others. We may see three things done for us by God, but rest assured there are ten thousand things accomplished for us that we never see. It is in that context we are encouraged to be helpful to others.

I choose Jesus.

Being at Rest

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It was my observation while reading the book of Ecclesiastes, in a mere two sentences Solomon summarizes his findings for all the wisdom present in the twelve chapters of his opus.

Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 — Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (NIV)

Now, let us reduce the two sentences to six words. Fear God and keep his commandments. There we have it. Jesus said — love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Then came the second thing – love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. That was simple to express. But what about the commandment – Fear God? I think it is helpful to look at Isaiah 29. For me, this entire chapter helps define the notion of fearing God. The three verses below focus our thoughts.

Isaiah 29:13-16 — These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore, … I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish. Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”? (NIV)

These are strong words; they describe someone who does not fear Elohim. This passage can be reduced to a single phrase – Respect Me, I am the one who made the heavens and earth. Respect Me, if not for what I did, then for what I Am. Respect Me, Obey my commandments. Respect Me, Love your neighbor. Respect Me, Love my Son. Respect for Elohim leads to blessings and our contentment that all is right in the world. Resistance melts away and becomes peace. We feel happy in our place.

The fear (respect) for the things of God starts when the King of Kings occupies our heart. We quickly develop a reverence and appreciation for his majesty, we yield to his authority, and we pull away from things that displease him. We see and embrace his wisdom. We freely embrace him and worship with all the honor due to his name and actions. This becomes true devotion, fledgling at first, but soon becomes a comfortable stride, a power walk with God.

Scripture becomes much more personal. We become aware that God is talking to us, revealing himself to us in the same way that Martin Luther, or Augustine learned about the things of God. One moment of insight after another. We gain understanding and knowledge. Then, as we experience the application of God’s plan for us, we become wise. We learn this respect by absorbing his statutes and precepts from scripture. We know that what we think quickly becomes how we act and how we relate to others.

This acquisition of insight is the process of the Spirit of God writing the word upon our heart. The more dominant this respect becomes the more careful we are with the application of His word in our life. We know that this is no game, it matters how we process and relate to the message. If we are not settled on the inside, our actions will be bumpy, inconsistent – the internal war will be played out in our actions with others. This idea of respect is the whole of man’s relationship with God. It requires care and feeding. It requires alone time, wrestling with the word of God. It requires regular visits with God. It requires interaction with others of similar mind. It brings peace. It brings contentment. It brings rest.

I choose Jesus.

Hidden Treasures in Secret Places

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It has been my observation while reading Ezra, that Cyrus was a significant player in the transition of Israel back to the promised land after the 70-year exile to Babylon. Cyrus was not a believer, but he was clearly being guided and rewarded by the one true living God for his actions. Who was this Guy?

Cyrus was a Mede, some say his father was Astyages, the King of Media. There is no clear biography of him that has survived for us to read. The consensus of historians suggests he was an outcast in his infancy; he was found and raised by a Bedouin family of shepherds. Like Moses, he was a very smart person and found his way to the throne, demonstrating his iron when Croesus king of Lydia attacked his country. His defense and counterattack enabled him to take Sardis which led to ownership of a very wealthy kingdom of Lydia. He became a powerful, aggressive king. In all this, he maintained a positive demeanor that was noted by the one true living God.

Isaiah wrote – This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of, to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you and will level the mountains, I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. (Isaiah 45:1-4)

Clearly after all this, Cyrus was a very prominent figure in the middle east. He pursued many countries and was able to expand his influence over Babylon. Eventually, in conjunction with his uncle Darius and with the forces of Persia, he successfully attacked Babylon. See Daniel 5 for details. Why Babylon? This was an exceptional acquisition; Babylon was crazy rich and strong. The city was huge, nearly 45 miles in diameter. The city walls were so thick it was said that six chariots could ride side by side upon them. Yet, Cyrus seems to be capable of taking Babylon. God empowered Cyrus to rescue his people from Babylon.

Ezra wrote — In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4).

I think we should take a close look at the fact that Cyrus is called God’s anointed, Cyrus was groomed to lead. He could be counted on when the going got a bit rough. In a loose sense, he was a ‘type’ of a Messiah for Israel during their time of trouble. We must be incredibly careful to note that Cyrus was not part of the Hebrew tribes. He was an outsider. Yet he was used by God. What can be learned from this?

The deeper truth – God can use anybody, any place, any time to accomplish his will. We are privileged to be included and let in on his plan. Are you having trouble with your non-Christian boss? God has demonstrated he will influence others (non-Christians) to do things that will further His kingdom. No one is out of bounds for his influence. When his people are in trouble, God will move to help them.

I choose Jesus.