PrayerBits for Tuesday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Tuesday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 45:1-7 Cyrus the Messiah?

Time to reflect: Verse 1 applies to the whole passage and it declares Cyrus the Great of Persia to be “his anointed” -- anointed in Hebrew is the word from which we get “Messiah.” So Isaiah felt Cyrus was the chosen one. But Cyrus was only “A” chosen one. He was selected and used by God for the purposes listed. Although not the ultimate chosen one – Christ – Cyrus was an example of God's work. It also shows that God can use people for God's purposes whether they know it or not!

Moving through the day: Who in our day and age could be serving God without being aware of it?

"This is what the LORD says to his anointed,
       to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
       to subdue nations before him
       and to strip kings of their armor,
       to open doors before him
       so that gates will not be shut:

 I will go before you
       and will level the mountains ;
       I will break down gates of bronze
       and cut through bars of iron.

  I will give you the treasures of darkness,
       riches stored in secret places,
       so that you may know that I am the LORD,
       the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
       of Israel my chosen,
       I summon you by name
       and bestow on you a title of honor,
       though you do not acknowledge me.

  I am the LORD, and there is no other;
       apart from me there is no God.
       I will strengthen you,
       though you have not acknowledged me,

  so that from the rising of the sun
       to the place of its setting
       men may know there is none besides me.
       I am the LORD, and there is no other.

  I form the light and create darkness,
       I bring prosperity and create disaster;
       I, the LORD, do all these things.