This chapter has two main sections – a proclamation from God to Cyrus (King of Persia), and a proclamation from God describing Himself as the one and only true God / Savior.
“For the sake of… Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know… that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” (v4-7 abr)
God, our all-powerful Creator, can work how, where, and through whom He pleases. That is made especially clear with Cyrus. God calls upon this pagan man (a non-Israelite who does not know or worship God) to be His instrument for/against Israel. Why does God choose to work through someone who ‘does not know Him’? So ‘everyone may know that there is none besides Him’.
Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and asking forgiveness for our sin is only a small portion of what it means to obey God. The main way in which we love the Lord our God and love our neighbor is by partnering with God, so He may work through us and reach others, making Himself known for His glory and their salvation.
I suggest to you that praying a sinner’s prayer is a first step on a much larger journey – serving God wholeheartedly with whatever time we have left, so His kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven, is the continuation of that journey. Our journey here on earth will end one day, and God lets us choose to ignore the middle of the journey, or partner with Him throughout. I suggest the middle of the journey, where we help build Jesus’ kingdom, is the most exciting part of our lives – so why not embrace it?
Father God, our Glorious and Most High Lord, You alone are God, and no other can compare. Father, as we walk through each day of our lives, please help us to embrace Your guidance a leadership. Please help us to be attentive to Your callings, and fully partner with You, to help build Jesus’ kingdom. When we reach the end of our earthly journey, we wish to hear You say “Well done good and faithful servant”. May every word and action on our journeys be in Your service, for You honor and glory, forever and ever amen.
~ Conqueror in Training