Daily Reading: Ezra 1-2
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (Ezra 1.2)
Devotional Thought: The book of Ezra was written when the people of God were in exile, having abandoned their faith. God had not abandoned them, however. He called them home, home to build the temple, home to establish heart-felt worship, home to reclaim their divine purpose. But first, God issued another call. It was an unexpected call, a call to "Cyrus, king of Persia."
Consider...
The earthly recipient of the call. "Cyrus, king of Persia" was a heathen king who was not serving the Lord. Argument could be made that he was an enemy of God and his people. Yet, God in mercy called him.
The heavenly origin of the call. "The Lord, the God of heaven" was the one who called. From the very dawn of human history, God has been calling people who were estranged from him: "But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?'" (Genesis 3.9). God's 'loudest' call was the call he made when he sent his only Son, Jesus, to earth with the good news of his love.
The extended boundaries of the call. In calling Cyrus, God was actually reaching out to "all the kingdoms of the earth." God did not call Cyrus for Cyrus' sake only. God desires that all should come to know him. So he charged Cyrus "to build him a house." When God calls, our horizons are extended!
The people recognized God's call through Cyrus. They, too, answered the call, entered into partnership with God, and went to build the house in Jerusalem. How about you? How will you respond to the call of God?
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for not abandoning your people, but instead continuing to call us. Help us to answer the call and build your house so that others too may hear and respond. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 94:8-15
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
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