Sovereignty
Read Ezra 1.1-5
“The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1.2)
Rulers exercise the authority of government by appointment of God – whether they recognize or acknowledge that or not: Cyrus clearly had some sense of divine compulsion in the edict which he issued – God is sovereign in the affairs of nations!
To what extent do you think the testimony and example of the likes of Daniel and his friends in the land of Babylon made the incoming king disposed to issue a decree such as this? What does that have to teach you?
If God is sovereign over the nations why does He not quickly deal with, or simply remove, corrupt and godless leaders?
Prayer: How glad I am that in all the turmoil and political upheaval of these days You, O Lord, are King of kings! In our forthcoming elections next week, please show again Your sovereign mercy towards the peoples of this land.