Behind it all

Isaiah 45:4

“For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel My chosen one, I have given you a title of honor though you have not known Me.”

I find it interesting to look back at history and ponder the providential hand of God moving in the earth and orchestrating events to cause His glory to be shown.  I recently listened to the book “The American Miracle” by Michael Medved a second time and found myself captivated yet again by the same stories. The stories where all parties, Godly or not, recognized the hand of God moving in favor of the Americans.  From George Washington to Andrew Jackson and the battle of Louisiana in the war of 1812.  You can call it dumb luck, lucky weather, or just plain lucky but it is really amazing to listen to the stories of God moving.  

Here we find Isaiah writing something from God to the king of Persia, Cyrus.  The opening verse to chapter 45 called him, “The Lord’s anointed.” In the second verse, the Lord is telling Cyrus that He will go before him and make the rough places smooth.  He goes on to say that God will use Cyrus to subdue kingdoms.  Cyrus will go down as a great Persian king.  I will bet even he seemed a little puzzled as to the level of his successes. 

Isaiah sends this message to him to let him know who is behind it, God.  I love verse 4 because it is the aha moment it says, “though you have not known Me.”  Can I tell you that the living God is behind the circumstances in your life.  The providential hand of God is at work in all of our lives.  The most amazing thing is that we may not even recognize it or know God that well at all. 

Moses was faced with crossing the Red sea, Gideon was faced with confronting an army of thousands with 300 men, Joshua walked around the city of Jericho, Jesus changed the world with a 3 year ministry with 12 men who did not even have the internet or cell phones, the Pilgrims found Squanto, and Napoleon sold the United States the Louisiana purchase for 3 cents an acre.  Believe it or not, God is working and His work is all to show His glory.  Even a pagan king of Persia was used by the hand of God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and bring the captive out of Babylon. 

Are you in a tough spot?  Are you at the end of your rope?  Have you tried all to stand and seem to be not gaining any ground?  I have some good news for you.  God is at work.  The circumstances you see around you are no match for the God who declares that He is the only God and He made the universe.  Circumstances may not get better and your issue may not go away, but we can look at the hour of our need as a time to find God in the middle.  If He can use the pagan king of Persia, He can use just about anything to magnify His glory.  Are you looking for Him?  

Prayer: Father help us to see your hand at work in everything. Even the rough times, even the hard times, even the messed up beyond all hope times, even the sick times, and the “overwhelming this has got to stop” times. Yes, Lord you are behind it all. Help us to humble ourselves before you and surrender everything to you, knowing your mighty righteous right hand will hold us up lest we fall or dash our foot on a stone. Father, you are behind it all and we bow to our knees in worship to a God who loves us and sent His son for us. In Jesus name, amen.