(Isaiah 55:8–9;
Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1–7; 2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1:1–4)
By Bishop Emmanuel Yashim
God’s power, purpose, and ways are not limited by who acknowledges Him; He can use anyone — even the most unlikely person — to bring lifting, increase, freedom, favour, and fulfillment of His promises and prophecies over your life, family, business, career, calling, and ministry.
That is why the Bible says in Isaiah 55:8–9,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Job 5:9,
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
1 Corinthians 1:25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
Cyrus, the King of Persia, was not a worshiper of the God of Israel. He had never bowed at the temple, never offered sacrifices, and never confessed faith in the Lord, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Yet, centuries before he was born, the prophet Isaiah had spoken his name:
“This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, His anointed… though you do not acknowledge Me, I will go before you and level mountains” (Isaiah 45:1–4).
When Cyrus conquered Babylon, he shocked the world with a decree: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and appointed me to build Him a temple in Jerusalem. Any of His people may return home” (Ezra 1:2–3).
Israel, broken and exiled, suddenly found themselves free — by the hand of a king who did not even know their God.
This shows us five things:
- God’s sovereignty over kings and nations – The heart of Cyrus was turned like a river in God’s hands (Proverbs 21:1). No ruler is beyond God’s control. God will use rulers in this country and outside it to lift you and the Light of God Covenant and Prophetic Assembly to greater levels. In Jesus’ mighty name.
- God fulfills His Word – Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled more than 150 years later. What God says, He performs, no matter the delay. No matter the delay and duration, God will fulfil the prophecy over your life, your calling, and this ministry, in Jesus’ name.
- God uses unlikely people – Cyrus did not acknowledge God, yet God called him “My anointed.” If God could use Cyrus, He can use anyone — even those outside the faith — to bless His children. God will anoint many Cyruses to make the prophecies over our church to come to pass. In Jesus’ name.
- Divine favour breaks captivity – Israel’s freedom did not come by their strength, but by God raising help from an unexpected place. Our help, as a church, will come from unexpected places; from people we have never thought of in our human capacity. In Jesus’ name.
- Encouragement for believers: If God could use a pagan king to restore His people, then nothing is too hard for Him in your life. He can raise a “Cyrus” in your life, your workplace, your government, your church, or even among strangers to accomplish His will for you. And so shall it be. In Jesus’ mighty name.
Thus, the story of Cyrus reminds us: God is not limited by who acknowledges Him.
God’s ways, plans, and methods often defy human expectations.
He can use unlikely people, surprising circumstances, and seemingly impossible situations to accomplish His purposes—just like He used Cyrus to free Israel.
His power is supreme.
His Word is sure.
His favour can come from the most unlikely hands.
Romans 11:33–34,
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
PRAYER:
“Lord, I thank You that Your ways are higher than my ways, and Your thoughts higher than my thoughts. Open doors for me that no one can shut, raise unlikely helpers in my life, and accomplish Your purposes on my behalf, even in ways I do not understand. Let Your favor and freedom come to me as You moved on behalf of Your people through Cyrus, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”