2020 Daily Devotion - Day 182

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Cyrus the Great was the king of Persia and was the monarch under whom the Babylonian captivity ended. He is mentioned 23 times in the Old Testament. He lived around 587BC and is considered one of the liberators of the Jewish people. He restored them and helped to make them a nation again. However, he didn’t do it alone. He was used by God for this purpose. In Isaiah 45:2, God makes some promises to him. 

Isaiah 45:2-3 ESV
“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.”

God promises him that He will go before and remove all the impediments which are in his way. He promises He will break in pieces the gates of brass and cut them down. This is a reference to the walls of Babylon (modern day Iraq), which are filled with brass gates. God promises to make available to Cyrus the treasures which had probably been taken and hidden from the Jewish people. Because they had been taken from them, they are called the “treasures of darkness”.

This same word, spoken to Cyrus by the Prophet Isaiah, is a word for you today as well. This same God has a purpose for your life. As you trust Him, He overcomes the obstacles and will give you a level path. He will tear down the brass gates. He will even turn the darkness into a treasure of light. You can trust Him. Just as He fulfilled this promise to King Cyrus and the Jewish people long ago, He will do it for you as well.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, You always keep Your Word. You can do mighty things in our lives. Help us to trust You and depend on Your strength and power in our lives. No matter what we are going through today, remind us of Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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