GOING HOME
Ezra 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order 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
God is never absent from the events of his world. You may be troubled and confused by the headlines of the daily paper or news broadcasts you watch. There seems to be so much conflict and war in the world. Listen long enough and you will see the images of refugees fleeing from wars, famine among other regions of the world or hear of economic decline or collapse in other regions. This should never sway you from the truth that God is watching and is working in the world to fulfill his plans for His family.
God will use an unbeliever to bring about the plans he has for His people. The people of God had been taken into captivity in Babylon. It is under the reign of King Cyrus that things begin to change for them. After years of enslavement, brutality, alienation and hopelessness God’s plan begins to unfold. The astonishing thing is that it begins with the change of heart of their ruling captor, Cyrus. The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus to release the people of God. They would be going home.
Why did God move in Cyrus’ heart, and not the leaders of the exiled people? Practically speaking, Cyrus was in control. God simply worked a change in him to fulfill his promises to Abraham and his descendants centuries earlier. You have another principle to remember: God is faithful to His Word whether written or spoken. The more you know of His Word the more comfort, peace and hope you will find in your life. And the greater your joy in knowing that God is working to bring you home too.
