Isaiah 45:1-3 - This
is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will
empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress
gates will be opened, never again to shut against him. This is what the LORD says: "I will go
before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down
gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the
darkness -- secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name."
Isaiah was used this time to tell a gentile king named Cyrus
that he was anointed by God. God told him he was going to give him great
strength….and reveal vast treasures within the earth for him to keep. God said
he was going to use him to crush the kings that threatened to completely
overcome his people.
That is proof to me that God can use anybody he chooses to
do his work. God can embed anyone… anywhere…with the power they need to do what
God needs them to do. Isaiah used the word ‘anointed’ when he spoke of Cyrus’ power. Jesus told us in Acts 1:8 that anyone who believe
n him would receive all the power we need when we let the Holy Spirit he sent consume
us.
He gave Moses …in Exodus 2…what he needed to do his work in
the form of a simple shepherd’s rod. It
was even passed to Aaron when Moses had completed his part of the task. He used
it to show God’s power to pharaoh…then he used it to remind the people he had
been sent to lead that God had a plan…even if it did not fit the scenario they
had imagined in their heads.
We just have to ask ourselves what God has placed in our
hand to use for him. It might be the
ability to remember huge quantities of knowledge and discover the cures of diseases
like cancer that take life after life. It might be a computer...and a simple
way with words….that God can help you type insights to his word each
morning. It might be a classroom full of
excited …or not so excited students…that God has placed in your keeping for one
period of time to be the one light they see in a world not so bright around
them each day. It might even be that
minimum wage job he has given you for a season… so he can use you to model
contentment in him ….no matter where he has placed you for the moment.
It is a reminder to me that I have more than one thing
placed in my hand. My day may begin with sharing insights to his word on a blog…but
for at least one more year…I have also been given the privilege of touching
lives in a school classroom each day. Sundays…he uses the voice he blessed me
with to sing praises and help others worship…and on Wednesday nights…I am used
to teach English as a second language to some sweet Japanese ladies. Even as I
list these 4 jobs…I am sure I could list more…given a bit more time to reflect.
Father….thank you for reminding me that you use the ‘rod’
you placed in my hands to do so many things. Forgive me for not realizing each morning the
importance of each of my jobs. Help me to embrace all of them in a new and
passionate way….so satan cannot trick me into slacking. Open my ears…and eyes to all the new ways you
want you use me in the future. Uncover
the secrets and treasures that you have waiting for me…if I am obedient in
following what you have given me to do.
Amen.
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