A political mandate to build a house of worship. It either sounds like something from a radical Islamic country and culture, or from a bygone era in a western country. But, from all we know, it was an order given by a ruler who truly recognized the one true God and responded to His prompting.
The modern-day irony is that this political ruler had jurisdiction over the present-day region of Iran (ponder that one for a moment!). Further, another Iranian (Persian) ruler supported and implemented the previous edict to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Ezra six records these historic events:
"Then King Darius issued a decree, and search was made in the archives , where the treasures were stored in Babylon. In Ecbatana in the fortress, which is in the province of Media, a scroll was found and there was written in it as follows: 'Memorandum - In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: 'Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained ..." (Ezra 6:1-3)
Now, history may not be your great interest, but this much likely is: the one true God is well able to accomplish exactly what He desires, and that can involve using unlikely means and people. Time and again, godless rulers have served the purpose of God's will.
The model prayer is encouraging and comforting concerning this - "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." This prayer is not mere idealistic thinking; it is a declaration of ultimate truth: God's perfect rule is destined to be established over all the earth. No kingdom or country will ultimately stand against it or in place of it. Daniel 2:44 is our great reminder of this fact: "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever."
The encouragement for us this day is in knowing that God's governmental plan is fully on track. No political or financial crisis will disrupt or usurp it. The tide of popularity is no threat to it. It is revolution-proof and corruption-proof. It will come about exactly as planned and according to schedule.
A popular "Occupy" movement is afoot today to enact government and financial change and reform. Perhaps it's time for the people of God to launch an "Occupy the Kingdom" movement to remind ourselves and others of the inevitable triumph of God's coming age.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
The modern-day irony is that this political ruler had jurisdiction over the present-day region of Iran (ponder that one for a moment!). Further, another Iranian (Persian) ruler supported and implemented the previous edict to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Ezra six records these historic events:
"Then King Darius issued a decree, and search was made in the archives , where the treasures were stored in Babylon. In Ecbatana in the fortress, which is in the province of Media, a scroll was found and there was written in it as follows: 'Memorandum - In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: 'Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained ..." (Ezra 6:1-3)
Now, history may not be your great interest, but this much likely is: the one true God is well able to accomplish exactly what He desires, and that can involve using unlikely means and people. Time and again, godless rulers have served the purpose of God's will.
The model prayer is encouraging and comforting concerning this - "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." This prayer is not mere idealistic thinking; it is a declaration of ultimate truth: God's perfect rule is destined to be established over all the earth. No kingdom or country will ultimately stand against it or in place of it. Daniel 2:44 is our great reminder of this fact: "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever."
The encouragement for us this day is in knowing that God's governmental plan is fully on track. No political or financial crisis will disrupt or usurp it. The tide of popularity is no threat to it. It is revolution-proof and corruption-proof. It will come about exactly as planned and according to schedule.
A popular "Occupy" movement is afoot today to enact government and financial change and reform. Perhaps it's time for the people of God to launch an "Occupy the Kingdom" movement to remind ourselves and others of the inevitable triumph of God's coming age.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 8:13 AM
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