“I will go before you
And make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze
And cut the bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden riches of secret places,
That you may know that I, the Lord,
Who call you by your name,
Am the God of Israel.”

Question: What can I learn from God’s command to Cyrus?

God’s command to Cyrus

These verses were addressed to Cyrus, king of Persia, who did not acknowledge God. But he was directed by God to free the people of Israel from Babylon and allow them to return to Israel.
Here God promises Cyrus that He will go before him to prepare the way, He will remove all barriers, and lead him to hidden treasures and riches.

Through these promises, God makes clear to Cyrus that his achievements and riches are not due to his own power or knowledge, but solely due to God’s provision. It shows that all power and wisdom are from God, and given by Him for His good purpose. And Cyrus is to recognize and acknowledge God alone as almighty and worthy of worship.

Cyrus was obedient to God’s command, and he freed the people of Israel to return home to the promised land.

Like Cyrus, I need to recognize that any wisdom, knowledge or achievements I have, are solely due to God’s grace, and they are given for His good purpose, not to boost my ego. I need to acknowledge God as the provider of all I have and do, to respond with thanks, and to seek to know His will for me, how to apply all He has given for me to use.

God is not limited to my church building

When I spend Sundays in worship in church, and receive encouragement during the week by sharing my faith with fellow believers, it’s easy to limit my focus of where I think God is active, just like some of the ancient Israelites who thought He dwelt only in their temple. But these verses remind me that God is active in the wide world, calling people to know him and do his will, and preparing hearts to hear the gospel.

And even when the world seems like it is going crazy, I need to remember that God is taking the worst that mankind can do, and using that for his good purpose, so we can be filled with hope and not despair.