GOD WILL FULFILL HIS WORD AND DO WHAT HE PURPOSED
King Cyrus of Persia enabled the Jews who had been captured by the Babylonian king to return to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of their temple. Persia (modern day Iran) overthrew Babylon (modern day Iraq) and showed favor to the Jews by not only allowing their return, but also giving back whatever temple implements that had been stolen and offering aid in its rebuilding. This Jewish return from exile was prophesied by Jeremiah.
I was reminded of this history by an Iranian named Reza that I met in a London coffee shop a few years ago. When he suggested that I visit his country, I told him that I didn’t want to end up in an Iranian jail.
“No!” he insisted. “We love Americans. It’s the politics, the mullahs that stir up trouble between us. Remember, we were Persians before we became Muslims. We were the ones who helped the Jews return to Jerusalem. Ninety-nine percent of Iranians love Americans!”
I was surprised by his distinction of identity based on being Persian before he was Muslim, and by his declaration that Iranians love Americans. I suppose the Jews were surprised by Cyrus’s favor too. It reminds me that things are not always as they seem and that God is still at work in this world and that one Day all prophecies will be fulfilled in Christ.
Shall we not join Jeremiah in saying, “The Lord has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word, which He commanded in days of old” (Lam.2:17)?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we study and meditate on Your Word, for we know that You have spoken and are still speaking to us through it. We choose to believe Your report over the reporting of the world. We have hope in Your Word and in its promises. For You will do what you have said. Strengthen us to proclaim Your Word today. In Jesus’ name, amen.