Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God

17 September 2024

Reading From Ezra 1-3

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 appointedme 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 1:2-4

When we think of someone being used, it has largely a negative connotation in our modern context. But to be used by God is the most the positive thing imaginable. When an individual yields to God’s ways and surrenders their will to Him, God can partner with them and accomplish untold miracles.

We find an unlikely servant of the Most High God in the monarch Cyrus of Persia. He was the emperor of a largely pagan culture and yet the Lord inspired Him to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem for the glory of God. The Lord’s work is often done through people who you might least expect it from. We need to be open to praising Him for His mighty deeds done through unexpected saints and surrender ourselves to Him more fully.

“Lord, broaden my understanding of Your grace and mercy. You are no respecter of persons and You can accomplish Your will through anyone who is willing to surrender to You. Help us to do that. Amen.”

For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden

—Romans 9:15-18