Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also into writing, saying, Ezra 1:1
The Cyrus referred to in this text was known to historians as Cyrus the Great. His reign of some 30 years took in one of the greatest empires this world has ever known, stretching from the edge of Europe to the north of India and beyond. Despite his immense power, Cyrus was known as a wise ruler who sought to provide the best laws and government for the varied peoples in his realm. Such a great king seems an unlikely instrument for fulfilling the purposes of God concerning His people. But this great king not only did exactly what God wanted him to do, what God had prophesied through Jeremiah that he would do, but also did it willingly and completely. His example reminds us that God is in control of all that happens on earth, and often uses the powerful of earth to accomplish His purposes.
Here in Canada, we live in favoured circumstances, compared to much of the rest of the world. Our laws permit great freedom for us to live as Christians before others, to proclaim the Gospel message, and to support and endorse God’s workers everywhere. We are often dismayed by foolish economic decisions of our governments, and by laws that promote the destruction of morality, but we still have much to be thankful for in terms of an environment for our Christian service and worship. We should appreciate this, because it is none less than God’s overruling in the affairs of this world for our good. We should also give thanks because, even amid the destruction of much that is good and worthy, we can see the purposes of God in directing human affairs in the direction of future events prophesied in Scripture.
Although we cannot be certain, we can see indications that we are in the last days of this dispensation of Grace. The Rapture appears to be an event that will occur soon (not quite as soon as foolish Harold Camping thought, but soon). None of the decisions of this world’s governments can alter God’s purposes for His people, or His program of future events as described in the Bible. The great powers of this world are powerless to do other than what God directs as the affairs of nations line up with prophecy.
God is very much in control even as we see the godlessness of this world drift out of control. We who are His children need not fear whether His plans and purposes for us will be fulfilled perfectly. -Jim MacIntosh