Isaiah 44:24-45:1

This week we continue to look at this amazing salvation prophesy that declares Cyrus by name as the one who will deliver those in Babylonian captivity. What makes this so amazing is that Cyrus will not be born for more than 100 years, and this conquest is more than a century and a half away.The passage begins with thus says the LORD. This oft repeated statement throughout the bible reminds us that the bible is God's word. All that follows, "Thus says the LORD", is absolutely certain. There is no possibility of failure when it comes to God's word. The importance of God's word in the life of a believer can never be overstated. As we come to Cyrus, we see two amazing things. First, God calls Cyrus, a pagan king to be His Shepherd. There is much we will say about how God works through shepherds to do his great work. But in this case, God has called a pagan king as His shepherd. Secondly, God calls Cyrus His anointed. This word for anointed is the same word from which we get Messiah. The prophets, priest and kings that God called needed the anointing of God. Cyrus was called God's anointed because of the special purpose that God had called him to. Cyrus was to free God's people from bondage and to bring judgment upon unbelievers. Cyrus did both. In Cyrus we have a type of Christ. All the promises to Cyrus had spiritual fulfillment in Jesus. God knew Cyrus before he was born. All his days were already numbered. You and I have been known to God before the foundation of the earth. Our days are numbered. What has God called us to for the days we are living in. Stay true to Jesus Christ and His word. Keep your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Look up always as our salvation draws near.Maranatha!

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24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Chapter 45

1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;