Text: Ezra 1:1-2:70 | Listen to Message

Stirring The Heart of A King

In 586 B.C., God stirred the heart of the Persian king Cyrus to let the Jews return to their homeland and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. Even more remarkably, he commanded his other subjects to financially support this endeavor.

It’s especially remarkable because Cyrus didn’t believe in Yahweh – and he couldn’t care less about restoring and preserving the line of the eventual Messiah. Cyrus was just hedging his bets and ingratiating himself to all the gods of all conquered lands in the hopes that he might get some divine favor in return.

Undoubtedly, there was a significant misalignment between the motives of the LORD and the motives of Cyrus, and yet God still used Cyrus to accomplish his purpose of getting his people home. As Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”

If God can the self-preserving progressive policies of a pagan king to carry out his will for his people, imagine what he can do for you – as you love and trust him.

Do you believe this? Do you believe God can take what the enemy means for evil and turn it for your good – and for his glory? Do you accept that he’s so good, so powerful, and so kind, he can be trusted to get you Home, too?

Sermon Notes & Application Questions