“Hey, Just Exactly Who’s in Charge Here?” by James Ryle

“God prodded Cyrus” (Ezra 1:1, The Message).

Obviously, God is in charge; always has been, always will be. It is He who prods the kings of this world to do His will. It was the Lord who stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, inspiring him with faith and prompting him to action on behalf of God’s people.

The question arises, How did God “prod” Cyrus?

Consider this as a most likely probability. Daniel the prophet served faithfully in the courts of Babylon and would have credible access to the Throne. He would obviously be very familiar with Scripture, and seek every sensible opportunity to share God’s Word with those in leadership.

Imagine how long Daniel must have waited for the moment when he could speak to Cyrus, and tell him of the words written by Isaiah the prophet almost one hundred years earlier — words that prophesied about Cyrus himself, by name!

And imagine what must’ve happened in Cyrus’ heart when he heard these very words read from the sacred scroll:

“The Lord says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 44:28 thru 45:6).

God is in charge — He always has been, and always will be. You can trust Him with you life in all things, at all times. Keep seeking His face, hearing His voice, and doing His will — and all things will be all right in your world, too. Even if God has to prod kings to do His will.