Biblical Views on the News - Part II | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Oddy Crist has provided the Lord's Word as truth and as our eternal blessing. These posts can be found here.

"God Chooses Certain Men to Accomplish His Plans"

    This post is the continuation of my previous Scripture references to God telling the Israelites, hundreds of years before his birth, that He would raise up a king and that king's name would be 'Cyrus'. During his rein king Cyrus reminded the people of THAT time:'I am the king YOUR God said He would raise up'!

    There are many Scripture verses that tel of God planning special assignments for certain people, we read Him saying: 'I knew you in your mothers womb before you were born'. He has kings & leaders in mind for specific times in His plans. In fact, in the book of Jeremiah, the Words of God to the Israelites proclaim:'I know the plans I have for you, they are to give you hope and a future', which can be applied can be applied to our current time also & leader also.

    Pay attention to God's direct Words regarding king Cyrus found in Isaiah 44:28 and then addressing the king directly (Isaiah 45).

    v28: When I say of Cyrus, "He is my shepherd," he will certainly do as I say, and Jerusalem will be rebuilt and the Temple restored, for I have spoken it.

    This was written many years before Cyrus came to power.

    Isaiah 45:1 - 24

    This is Jehovah's message to Cyrus, God's anointed, whom he has chosen to conquer many lands. God shall empower his right hand and he shall crush the strength of mighty kings. God shall open the gates of Babylon to him; the gates shall not be shut against him any more.

    I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains and smash down the city gates of brass and iron-bars.

    And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness, secret riches; and you will know that I am doing this----I, the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by your name.

    And why have I named you for this work? For the sake of Jacob, my servant---Israel. My chosen. I called you by name when you didn't know me.

    I am Jehovah; there is no other God. I will strengthen you and send you out to victory even though you don't know me.

    And all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am Jehovah and there is no one else.I alone am God.

    I form the light and make the dark, I send good times and bad. I, Jehovah, am he who does these things.

    Open up, O heavens.Let the skies pour out their righteousness. Let salvation and righteousness sprout up together from the earth. I, Jehovah, created them.

    Woe unto the man who fights with his creator. Does the pot argue with its maker? Doe clay dispute with him who forms it, saying, "Stop, you're doing it wrong!" or the pot exclaim, "How clumsy can you be"?

    Woe to the baby who squalls to his father and mother, "Why have you produced me" Can't you do anything right at all?"

    Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, Israel's Creator, says: What right have you to question what I do? Who are you to command me concerning the work of my hands?I have made the earth and created man upon it. With my hands I have stretched out the heavens and commanded all the vast myriads of stars.

    I have rised up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will direct all his paths. He shall restore my city and free my captive people---and not for a reward!

    Jehovah says: The Egyptians, Ethiopians and Sabeans shall be subject to you. They shall come to you with all their merchandise and it shall all be yours.They shall follow you as prisoners in chains, and fall down on their knees before you and say:"The only God there is, is your God!"

    Truly. O God of Israel, Savior, you work in strange, mysterious ways.

    All who worship idols shall be disappointed and ashamed.

    But Israel shall be saved by Jehovah with eternal salvation; they shall never be disappointed in their God through all eternity.

    For Jehovah created the heavens and earth and put everything in place, and he made the world to be lived in, not to be an empty chaos.I am Jehovah, he says and there is no other.

    I publicly proclaim bold promises; I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner, so that no one can know what I mean.

    And I didn't tell Israel to ask me for what I didn't plan to give! No, for I, Jehovah, speak only truth and righteousness.

    Gather together and come, you nations that escape Cyrus' hand. What fools they are who carry around the wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save!

    Consult together, argue your case and state your proofs that idol-worship pays! Who but God has said that these things concerning Cyrus would happen?"

    For there is no other God but me---a just God, and a Savior---no, not one!

    Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.

    I have sworn by myself and I will never go back on my Word, for it is true--that every knee in all the world shall bow to me, and every tongue shall swear allegiance to my name.

    "In Jehovah is all my righteousness and strength," the people shall declare. And all who were angry with him shall come to him and be ashamed.

    In Jehovah all the generations of Israel shall be justified, triumphant.

    But for a few name changes, this whole chapter of Isaiah applies to the situation America finds herself in!

    Our present leadership is by designed providence an grace by Jehovah God.