WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.000 Amen. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:21.420 Over the last several weeks, we've been looking at faith. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:22.379 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.719 Where does it take us? 00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:34.759 How does it help when things are difficult? 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:41.859 And we've talked about some of the implications of faith and how it shows up in our life and 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:43.039 how it carries us through. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:52.299 We began several weeks ago looking at the fact that faith and quietness and rest and 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:56.100 trust lead to salvation and lead to strength. 00:00:56.100 --> 00:01:04.420 It really leads to this sense of confidence in us, this overriding peace and this abounding 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:06.740 joy that is true of believers. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:09.760 It connects with us individually. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:11.299 It connects with us personally. 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:13.859 It has real life implications. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:18.519 It helps us to be able to step back and not to strive. 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:25.719 It helps us not to be anxious and to worry about the difficulties and hardships and the 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:27.340 twists and turns of life. 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:34.960 But this morning, what I want us to understand is that faith in God also leads us not just 00:01:34.960 --> 00:01:39.239 to waiting, but faith in God leads us to action. 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:48.799 faith in God leads us to ordained movement in a direction that is aligned with the Savior, 00:01:49.399 --> 00:01:50.659 that is aligned with our God. 00:01:52.699 --> 00:02:00.280 A couple days ago, actually I think just yesterday, heard the news of a friend of ours in southern 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:05.140 Ohio that just passed away, just went to be home with the Lord. 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:09.659 She would have been 95 in just a couple of days from now. 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:17.599 And two years ago, she was going through some difficulties because not only for her personally, 00:02:18.039 --> 00:02:26.139 the physical health issues and being in a care facility, but also at the same time, her 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:31.439 70-plus-year-old son was dying of cancer. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:38.979 There were times when I would go and talk with Margaret and the question would be on her heart 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:44.460 and her mind, Andrew, what is God doing through this? 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:48.520 Parents aren't supposed to outlive their kids. 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:50.120 It's just not supposed to be this way. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:53.439 What is God's purpose for my life? 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:55.599 What does He have in mind for me? 00:02:55.699 --> 00:03:00.139 What really is the reason for me sticking around? 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:02.279 After all, I'm old. 00:03:02.459 --> 00:03:03.819 I'm homebound. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:06.759 I can't really do anything for God. 00:03:06.899 --> 00:03:10.679 There's not a whole lot of activity that I can be involved in. 00:03:12.699 --> 00:03:15.179 But she rested in the sovereignty of God. 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:23.919 She rested in the future plan of God, His purposes for her life. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:30.119 And she came to terms with the fact that even though she didn't understand it all, there must 00:03:30.119 --> 00:03:35.079 be a reason for my son dying and for me to continue on. 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:43.819 I think one of those reasons is the life of a young man that she began to invest in. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:53.579 You see, our church was going through the process of encouraging the older saints in the church to partner themselves 00:03:53.579 --> 00:03:56.459 or to connect themselves with a younger individual. 00:03:57.299 --> 00:03:58.560 We called them prayer partners. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:06.360 And for the school year, the goal was for them to pray for these youngsters, these teenagers, 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:12.280 that God would help them through the difficulties of school and the hardships that they encountered 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:16.840 and that they would be praying them through and encouraging them individually, 00:04:17.019 --> 00:04:18.779 but praying that God would do a work in their life. 00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:22.179 Well, she took it to the next level. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:26.299 And she said, okay, I'm not just going to pray for this young man, 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:30.159 but what I'm going to do is I'm going to pray with this young man. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:33.039 She said, you know, I can pray. 00:04:34.419 --> 00:04:35.919 God hasn't kept me from that. 00:04:37.159 --> 00:04:40.679 I might not be able to get out of the house, but you can bet I can pray. 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:43.139 And I can talk on the phone. 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:48.159 I can pick up the phone and I can call this young man and I can be an encouragement to him. 00:04:48.779 --> 00:04:53.819 And not just for the year, but for the last four years, 00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:58.599 she has been investing and building into this young man. 00:04:59.659 --> 00:05:02.959 So that now, as I think about this young man, 00:05:03.599 --> 00:05:08.699 there is this new passion for the Lord Jesus. 00:05:09.739 --> 00:05:14.159 There is this bursting forth of confidence in the Lord. 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:18.319 There is this deep affection for prayer. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:22.620 And seeing how it worked out, how it played out in the life of an older person. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:26.079 There was a wrestling with God in prayer. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:28.560 There was a communion with God in prayer. 00:05:29.219 --> 00:05:30.680 And that was infectious. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:32.779 It was passed on. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:39.100 The legacy of this godly woman was passed on to this young man. 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:43.200 And only time will tell. 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:47.900 Only time will tell what that investment will lead to. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:55.000 The investment of a godly woman who didn't understand the circumstances of life, 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:59.120 but was willing to align herself with what she knew at the time. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:03.100 Faithful with God's will for the present, 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:10.259 so that it would lead to faithfulness of God investing in him and leading him to who knows where. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.100 Who knows what that investment will lead to in the future. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:19.600 Because of a faithful, godly woman who was willing to be used. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.540 Wrestling with God through uncertainty. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:27.520 Struggling with the, God, what is your plan for my life? 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:29.580 But a willingness to obey in the moment. 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:34.500 Well, this morning, I want us to look at Isaiah chapter 45. 00:06:35.539 --> 00:06:38.579 You know, I think we're quite happy to talk about the love of God. 00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:42.319 We're quite happy to talk about the holiness of God. 00:06:43.099 --> 00:06:47.379 We're quite happy to talk about the grace and the mercy of God. 00:06:47.539 --> 00:06:54.319 But one of the areas we don't really want to go often is we don't want to talk about the sovereignty of God. 00:06:54.319 --> 00:07:01.240 We don't often want to talk about the fact that God not only knows the future, but he has his hand on it. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:07.100 God not only has a foreknowledge of what things will happen, 00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:10.819 but he is actively involved in bringing them about. 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:16.039 Let me tell you, that should give us confidence today. 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:26.200 That should make us so active and so risky in our courageous, self-sacrificing obedience. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:31.040 Because we are so convinced that God has a plan for our life, 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:38.020 and we'll work it through that nothing is going to get in the way of God's unfailing plan for us, 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:41.759 as long as we're aligned with his plans for the future. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:50.759 There is almost an invincibility about us if we're willing to align ourselves with God's plan, 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:53.439 because he is unfailing. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:59.379 The unfailing God who is unstoppable in every way. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:01.159 That is the God who ordains. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:04.680 That's the God who we're going to look at this morning from Isaiah chapter 45. 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:06.620 Look at that with me. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:16.500 I just want to open and just read through this first verse as an introduction to our study today. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.560 The God who ordains. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:21.000 It says this. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:22.259 It says, 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:45.259 First, as we look at the God who ordains, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:52.480 I want us to understand first and foremost that it is God's prerogative to choose his vessel. 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:56.059 It's God's prerogative to choose his vessel. 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:57.460 It's his right. 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:00.000 It's his ability. 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:06.120 There is no reason for us to question God's decision. 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:07.620 His purposes are final. 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:10.740 He will do what he will do, and that's his prerogative. 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:12.960 That's what makes him God. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:14.039 That's what makes him distinct. 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.099 He is sovereign. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.480 He is able to do this. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:21.199 And in this selection process, 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:25.319 I want us to see here in verse 1 of chapter 45, 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:28.279 and then backing up a verse into chapter 44, 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:34.379 I want us to understand and to recognize the dignity associated with this decision. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:38.539 The dignity associated with this selection. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:42.579 Look at chapter 44, verse 28. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:45.980 It speaks of Cyrus again when he says this. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:47.840 Who says of Cyrus, 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:49.379 He is my shepherd, 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:53.420 and he shall fulfill all my purpose. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.379 Saying of Jerusalem, 00:09:55.800 --> 00:09:56.780 She shall be built, 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.240 and of the temple, 00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:00.540 Your foundation shall be laid. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:04.319 Now in verse 1 of chapter 45, 00:10:04.319 --> 00:10:07.000 And in verse 28 of chapter 44, 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:09.259 We see two significant words, 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:14.059 That kind of single Cyrus out from the rest of the company, 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:19.279 That help us understand that God has set his affection on Cyrus, 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:22.399 And commissioned him for a specific work. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:25.539 Notice that word there in verse 28. 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:25.919 He says, 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:27.099 He is my, 00:10:27.199 --> 00:10:27.919 What church? 00:10:28.719 --> 00:10:30.419 He is my shepherd. 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:36.719 Now that's an incredible word as we think about Cyrus, 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:37.860 This foreigner, 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:44.699 This person who is outside of Jewish nationality, 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.000 Being considered a shepherd of God's people. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.700 A significant claim. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.720 And the significance is amplified by the fact, 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:55.820 That God uses the term, 00:10:56.179 --> 00:10:57.059 My shepherd. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:10:59.000 In the Hebrew, 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:00.460 It's actually one word. 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:02.100 All connected together. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.779 The pronoun is fixed to the end of that Hebrew word, 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:08.200 To help understand the relationship there. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.600 They're connected. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:12.240 They can't be separated. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:14.740 He is my shepherd. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:17.720 Called out by me to do my bidding. 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:19.919 To accomplish my purposes. 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:24.620 There is this intimate connection that cannot be separated. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:29.200 We've looked at the concept of shepherding considerably. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:31.600 We saw this a couple of weeks ago in Isaiah chapter 40. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:36.440 Where God is referring to himself as the shepherd of his people. 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:43.200 And the idea of gathering and caring and comfort that springs up from Isaiah chapter 40. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:45.240 And throughout the rest of the scripture. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:51.520 Drawing attention to the great shepherd who will one day come in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:58.700 This title used consistently of God throughout the Old Testament. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.400 Particularly the familiar passage in the Psalms. 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.120 Psalm 23. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:05.840 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:07.480 I shall not want. 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:13.019 And a title that Jesus would claim for himself in John chapter 10. 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:15.279 He says, I am the good shepherd. 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:19.320 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:23.759 Now whatever would be said about this individual Cyrus. 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:30.480 We have to understand that it was an identity that connected him with significance. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:37.159 An identity that connected him with the dignity and the honor of being called out by God. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:42.960 Now, in chapter 45 verse 1. 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:44.060 Not only shepherd. 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:46.560 But also anointed. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:52.180 Thus says the Lord to his anointed to Cyrus. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:58.120 Anointed one having sacred oil poured on him ceremonially. 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:03.439 And so becoming a person with special authority and function. 00:13:04.819 --> 00:13:08.519 God had singled Cyrus out for a special purpose. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:13.439 Again, this personal pronoun is connected in the Hebrew. 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:20.560 In one word put together to help understand the intimacy and inseparability of the connection. 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:22.980 Between what God is doing for Cyrus. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:25.160 And what Cyrus will do for God. 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.520 They are mutually exclusive. 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:29.940 They cannot be separated. 00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:37.360 And this term of being anointed is used exclusively up to this point. 00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:40.180 Is used exclusively of Jewish kings. 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:43.679 Or used exclusively of the future Messiah. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:51.479 And yet here we find this dramatic shift taking place. 00:13:51.479 --> 00:13:58.120 This incredible confession of God through the mouth of Isaiah. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:00.620 That Cyrus will be his anointed. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:10.099 Cyrus will be able to enjoy the special dignity and the special honor of being used of God in this way. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:14.879 Of course, just to be clear, Cyrus is not a Jew. 00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:19.099 But who is Cyrus after all? 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:21.639 We're going to look at some of the things. 00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:24.079 I don't want us to jump to any conclusions about Cyrus. 00:14:24.219 --> 00:14:28.659 But I want you to see how detailed the description is about Cyrus. 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:33.459 So we can begin to understand from history who this individual was. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:41.320 But as we understand, Cyrus is distinct in being anointed and commissioned by God. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.300 Set apart. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:46.460 Called to lead and accomplish the purposes of God. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:49.460 That leads us to our next point. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:55.139 Not only do we see the dignity associated with this position. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.019 This selection. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:58.919 But we also come to understand the difficulty. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:02.519 The difficulty with this selection. 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.980 So who was Cyrus? 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.980 Who is this man, Cyrus? 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:13.759 Well, if we look in the passage and move up to chapter 44, 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:18.379 I want to point out a couple of things that help to describe this person. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:20.759 Who he is and what he will do. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:25.240 Notice in verse 26, it says there in the middle. 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.259 Who says of Jerusalem, 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.879 She shall be inhabited. 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:31.840 And of the cities of Judah, they shall be built. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.539 And I will raise up their ruins. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.580 Who says to the deep, 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.159 Be dry. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.840 I will dry up your rivers. 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.840 Who says of Cyrus, 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:41.939 He is my shepherd. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:44.139 He shall fulfill all my purposes. 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:46.120 Saying of Jerusalem, 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.679 She shall be built. 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.759 And of the temple, 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:51.460 Your foundation shall be laid. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.740 Now whatever is taking place here, 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:56.000 What we have to understand is, 00:15:56.279 --> 00:16:00.899 Isaiah is describing a city of Jerusalem 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:05.179 That is in a far different condition than it is in the current time. 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.819 At that time, Jerusalem was inhabited. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:10.679 At that time, the temple had been built. 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.980 But sometime in the future, 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:17.259 There was going to be a need for being re-inhabited. 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:19.139 Sometime in the future, 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:22.620 There was going to be a need for Jerusalem to be rebuilt. 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.700 Sometime in the future, 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:27.939 There was going to be a need for the temple to be re-established. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:34.840 Cyrus will be the means by which God will accomplish this objective. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:41.299 He will be the shepherd to help usher in this new season 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:44.659 Of being re-established and revived as a people. 00:16:46.839 --> 00:16:50.819 There's a list of details that describe him later on as well. 00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:54.459 We find in chapter 45, verse 1. 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:58.120 It says that he will subdue nations before him. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:01.479 It says that his, 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:02.819 That he, 00:17:02.979 --> 00:17:04.000 That, excuse me, 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:06.599 I will break in pieces the doors of bronze, 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.299 In verse 2, 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:10.460 And cut through the bars of iron. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:13.139 I will give you the treasures of darkness, 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:16.879 And the hordes in secret places, 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.419 That you may know that it is I, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.119 The Lord, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.099 The God of Israel, 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:23.680 Who call you by your name. 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:26.759 And then dropping down to verse 13. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.259 It says, 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:30.000 I have stirred him up in righteousness. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.940 I will make all his ways level. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.700 He shall build my city, 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:37.900 And set my exiles free. 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:40.360 Not for price or reward, 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:42.279 Says the Lord of hosts. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.759 And there are a number of difficulties with, 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.740 With this prophetic section. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.400 Difficulties that, 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:54.240 That may have confused the people of the time. 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:57.140 What are you saying? 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:59.799 Cyrus is going to restore a city that, 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:01.340 That hasn't yet been demolished? 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:04.000 What is taking place here? 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.859 And who is this Cyrus after all? 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.480 The first difficulty that, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:11.959 That the people would have come to terms with, 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:15.119 Is the whole timing of this prophecy, 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:17.199 Is so distant into the future. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:21.740 It would be some 150 to 200 years, 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:24.279 Before Cyrus would even emerge, 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.399 Onto the scene. 00:18:27.439 --> 00:18:29.599 But God names him before the fact. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:32.899 God speaks the name of Cyrus, 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.899 200 years before Cyrus, 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.379 Even existed as an individual. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.799 And at the time, 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.839 No one could envision, 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:42.659 Any empire but the Assyrian empire, 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.839 Continuing to maintain control. 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:46.719 And yet, 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.480 Cyrus, 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:49.899 Who was in the Persian empire, 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.719 Has to move through, 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.859 The Babylonian empire, 00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:55.199 Before you even get to, 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.259 To his empire, 00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:57.759 Taking, 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:59.720 Taking prominence. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.740 The Babylonian empire, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.340 Would emerge after, 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:05.340 After Assyria. 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:07.080 And one would expect, 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.519 That it would be another couple hundred years, 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:10.460 Before any new empire, 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.100 Would emerge, 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:13.700 As being the world power. 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.120 And yet, 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.080 It was going to come, 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.900 In a series of years. 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.200 God predicted this, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.940 Before the fact. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.519 Cyrus would be, 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.839 Installed as a king, 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.099 In 559. 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.299 And in 20 years, 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.839 He would not only, 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.440 Conquer, 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:32.279 The portion of land, 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.019 That he was living in, 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:34.319 But he would conquer Babylon, 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.680 To the extent, 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.920 That the Assyrian, 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.039 Or the Persian empire, 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.460 Would be, 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:41.299 The largest empire, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.240 The world, 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.079 Had ever known. 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.920 Emerging from obscurity, 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.039 To become the greatest, 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:47.779 Empire, 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.819 In history. 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:52.839 Any surprise? 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:54.720 No. 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.480 Because it is God, 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.119 Who ordains. 00:19:57.939 --> 00:19:58.559 It's God, 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.519 Who knows the future. 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.639 It is God, 00:20:00.679 --> 00:20:01.859 Who is in control, 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.960 Of those things, 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.599 That are happening, 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.480 Down the road. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.599 But the difficulty, 00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:09.319 Is not only in terms of timing, 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.039 But also, 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.439 In terms of heritage. 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.200 Cyrus, 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.399 Was a Persian. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:16.000 And as we look back, 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.180 To 2nd Chronicles, 00:20:17.280 --> 00:20:17.940 Chapter 26, 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.000 We see a description of him, 00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:20.400 It says, 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.640 All those who escape, 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.240 From the sword, 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:23.500 He will carry away, 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:24.040 To Babylon, 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.600 Where they will become, 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.480 Servants to him, 00:20:26.540 --> 00:20:27.280 And his sons, 00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:28.700 Until the rule, 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.120 Of the kingdom of Persia, 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.320 Speaking of Cyrus. 00:20:32.300 --> 00:20:33.800 Cyrus would be a Persian, 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.740 But earlier, 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.720 In the book of Isaiah, 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.360 In Isaiah chapter 13, 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.180 Isaiah actually says, 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:40.980 That it's not going to be, 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:41.700 The Persians, 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:43.019 Who are taking Babylon, 00:20:43.300 --> 00:20:44.080 It's going to be, 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.000 The Medes, 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.079 Who will be taking Babylon. 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.899 So how do you deal, 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.839 With this conundrum? 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.480 How do you resolve, 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.299 This conflict? 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.619 Only in the mind of God. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.839 Only God can, 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.539 Resolve, 00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:59.319 Resolve the tension, 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.119 That would otherwise, 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.339 Confound, 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.899 The wisest individuals. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.559 You see, 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.599 Cyrus was, 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.859 Was a Persian, 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:09.319 Because of his father, 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.659 But, 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.399 His mom, 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.319 Happened to be, 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.619 A Mede. 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.579 His grandfather, 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.500 Actually happened to be, 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.059 The king, 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.119 Of the Medes. 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:19.639 And so again, 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.579 God begins, 00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.240 To unravel, 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:22.480 The tension, 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.679 To demonstrate, 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.740 His sovereign control, 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.599 His ability, 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.799 To ordain the future, 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.720 To know exactly, 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.279 What's coming, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.899 To describe the details, 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.039 And to help us understand, 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.639 That he is God. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.220 He alone, 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.859 Is able, 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:38.299 To tell us, 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.559 What the future holds, 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.559 He alone, 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.079 Is able, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.159 To help us understand, 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.240 The things, 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.799 That would otherwise, 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.500 Seem contradictory, 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:49.119 And the empire, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.639 Of Mede, 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.139 Persia, 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.159 Although it began, 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.839 With the Medes, 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.759 Being in charge, 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.559 Cyrus, 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.759 In rising to power, 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.879 Overcame the Medes, 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.700 And so, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:00.319 He comes in, 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.500 And answers, 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.419 All of the things, 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:02.899 That God, 00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:04.119 Had promised, 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:05.039 To do through him, 00:22:05.939 --> 00:22:09.039 The third, 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:09.859 Difficulty, 00:22:10.699 --> 00:22:11.479 Is a difficulty, 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:11.959 Of the fact, 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.579 That he was, 00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.679 A foreigner, 00:22:14.719 --> 00:22:15.719 It was a difficulty, 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:16.299 In the minds, 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.699 Of those, 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.319 Of the audience, 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.099 Those who were listening, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.299 How can you bring, 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.019 An anointed shepherd, 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.439 To rescue, 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.500 The people of Israel, 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.339 Who is also, 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.639 Not part of Israel, 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:29.379 How can you do this, 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.319 This is, 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:32.779 Unjust, 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:34.259 This is not right, 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:36.440 God's response, 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.240 To that is found, 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.619 In chapter 45, 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.500 Verses 9, 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.660 And 10, 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.019 In answering, 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.000 This complaint, 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:44.980 God, 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.519 How can you, 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.220 Do this, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.879 To us, 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.220 God says, 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:48.960 Woe to him, 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.039 Who strives, 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.559 With him, 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.599 Who formed him, 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.639 A pot, 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.940 Among earthen pots, 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.059 Does the clay, 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.680 Say to him, 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.339 Who formed it, 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.460 What are you making, 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.399 Or your work, 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.420 Has no handles, 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:01.899 Woe to him, 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.359 Who says, 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:02.919 To a father, 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.459 What are you, 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.279 Begetting, 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.519 Or to a woman, 00:23:05.939 --> 00:23:06.539 With what, 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:08.059 Are you in labor, 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:12.659 I'm in control, 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.659 I'm in charge, 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.479 Who are you, 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.599 To question me, 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:20.819 God is the one, 00:23:20.959 --> 00:23:22.619 Who ordains, 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.539 The future, 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.679 It is my prerogative, 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.479 To decide, 00:23:26.719 --> 00:23:27.679 Who I choose, 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.419 To use, 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.819 And how I, 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:32.159 How I accomplish, 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.279 My objectives, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.639 The point of all of this, 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.839 Is that God's purposes, 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.480 Will be accomplished, 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.939 But the question is, 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.359 Will he accomplish it, 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.000 Through you, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.559 You see, 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.259 The reason why, 00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:46.439 God wasn't going to fulfill, 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.379 At least immediately, 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.419 His objectives, 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.220 Through his people, 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.519 Is because they were disobedient, 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.720 They had stepped outside, 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.319 Of the will of God, 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.919 And had not aligned themselves, 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:57.380 To his perfect plan, 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.080 For their lives, 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:00.000 And so God says, 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.279 Fine, 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.620 I will accomplish, 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.320 My objectives, 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.840 But I'm going to accomplish them, 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.039 Through other means, 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.860 Because of disobedience, 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.960 It will stand, 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.800 My plans are unfailing, 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:11.980 Will you choose, 00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:12.680 To be part, 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:13.580 Of the plans, 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.259 That I have made, 00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:16.940 We have the privilege, 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.620 Of aligning ourselves, 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.140 To God's plans, 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.320 If we're walking, 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.539 And submitting, 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:22.960 And yielding, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.460 To his purposes, 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:26.920 His plans are unfailing, 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.220 They will be accomplished, 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.279 Will we have the privilege, 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.799 Of being God's chosen vessels, 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.460 As we step in, 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.120 To the plans, 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:35.840 That he has made, 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.480 Israel could not, 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.960 Experience the dignity, 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.299 The honor, 00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:44.460 Of what God had in mind, 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:46.140 Because of their disobedience, 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.980 So he chose to bring in, 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.900 Other means, 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.920 And he does that, 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.579 Through the person, 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.340 Cyrus, 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:54.779 Well we see, 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.439 God's prerogative, 00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.639 With his plans, 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.859 Next we see, 00:24:58.939 --> 00:24:59.659 God's power, 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.439 To accomplish his plans, 00:25:02.439 --> 00:25:03.559 In verses 1, 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.459 To 5, 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.019 You see, 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.899 God not only, 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.859 Understands the future, 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.179 He not only has, 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.299 Perfect foresight, 00:25:11.439 --> 00:25:12.259 And foreknowledge, 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.199 Of all that is coming, 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.559 But we're going to see, 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.299 In these verses, 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.759 That God is the one, 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.759 To work it through, 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:20.159 What God purposes, 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.679 He will perform, 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:23.840 What God has, 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.560 As a plan, 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.940 He will bring about, 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:28.100 That is our God, 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.060 As we'll see here, 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.560 In the next, 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.440 Several verses, 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.160 We're going to see, 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.960 Through this section, 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.539 His primary means, 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.580 And his secondary means, 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.640 Of accomplishing, 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.660 His objectives, 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.700 Look with me, 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.060 In verse, 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:43.360 At the end of verse 1, 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.620 In reading down, 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.880 Through verse 5, 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.180 It says this, 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:50.060 I want you to pay attention, 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:52.560 To the use of the, 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.960 Of the personal pronoun, 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.500 I, 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.580 Who is the one, 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.580 Who is accomplishing, 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.539 These plans, 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.640 What is the primary means, 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.460 Notice it says, 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.840 Whose right hand, 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:04.840 I, 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.240 Have grasped, 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.340 That's in the middle, 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.080 Of verse 1, 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:11.819 To subdue nations, 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.439 Before him, 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.980 To loose the belts, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.519 Of kings, 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.579 To open doors, 00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:16.339 Before him, 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.079 That gates, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.220 May not be closed, 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.419 Verse 2, 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:21.839 I, 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.819 Will go, 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.659 Before you, 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.419 And level, 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.980 The exalted places, 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.500 I, 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.740 Will break in pieces, 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.259 The doors of bronze, 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:33.179 Verse 3, 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.980 I, 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.460 Will give you the treasures, 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.140 Excuse me, 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.759 Of darkness, 00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:48.740 Verse 4, 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:51.860 I call you, 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.660 By name, 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:54.060 I name you, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.600 Though you do not know me, 00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:56.759 Verse 5, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.080 I am the Lord, 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.500 There is no other, 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.480 Besides me, 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.580 There is no God, 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.840 I, 00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.360 Am the Lord, 00:27:06.840 --> 00:27:07.920 And there is no other, 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.539 I equip you, 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.920 Though you do not know me, 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.720 Verse 7, 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.980 I form light, 00:27:14.060 --> 00:27:14.820 And create darkness, 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:16.539 I make well-being, 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.660 And create calamity, 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.880 I am the Lord, 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:20.320 Who does all these things, 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.740 Now dropping down, 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.440 To verse 12, 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.680 I made the earth, 00:27:25.080 --> 00:27:26.620 And created man on it, 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.279 It was my hands, 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.799 That stretched out the heavens, 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:31.799 And I commanded, 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:33.100 All their hosts, 00:27:34.060 --> 00:27:34.820 Verse 13, 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:37.460 I have stirred him up, 00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:38.500 In righteousness, 00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:40.640 And I will make, 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.940 All his ways, 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.660 Level, 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:46.440 Is there any, 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:48.640 Is there any, 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:50.060 Lack of clarity, 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.000 In those verses, 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:53.579 Who is the one, 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:53.579 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:53.579 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.920 Who is accomplished, 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.819 These purposes, 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.819 Who is the primary means, 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.180 Who is the one, 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.339 That is making it happen, 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.640 Not only in knowing, 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.299 The future, 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.440 But in bringing, 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.859 Those purposes about, 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:07.160 Make no mistake, 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.740 God is the primary means, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.059 God is the one, 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:12.640 Who commits himself, 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.660 To work his plans through, 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.440 What he has planned, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.740 The purposes that he has, 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.720 Are the purposes, 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.259 And plans, 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.259 That he will perform, 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:23.059 We can take confidence, 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.460 In that, 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:26.259 We can rest, 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.539 In God, 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.579 We can rest, 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.559 In the future, 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.660 Because we know, 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.460 It is God, 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.920 Who will work things through, 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:36.340 The future, 00:28:36.560 --> 00:28:36.920 Rest, 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.880 In the power, 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.600 Of God, 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.259 To perform, 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.680 In the power, 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.759 Of God, 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:42.680 Alone, 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.640 What God, 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.900 Ordains to happen, 00:28:46.060 --> 00:28:46.380 He will, 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.720 He will see it through, 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:48.320 To the end, 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.700 It is no different, 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.680 From the involvement, 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:52.640 Of God, 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.539 With his own people, 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:54.960 And if we were, 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.720 To take some time, 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.660 And you look through, 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.600 The second half, 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:59.340 Of chapter 44, 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.360 You would see, 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.099 God's involvement, 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.939 With his people, 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:04.019 In bringing them, 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.979 And birthing them, 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.779 As a nation, 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.299 Israel didn't have, 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:08.879 Any problem, 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.459 With God's favor, 00:29:10.459 --> 00:29:11.559 On them as a people, 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.879 But if they were, 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.679 To understand, 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.379 And recognize, 00:29:14.699 --> 00:29:15.719 That the only reason, 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:16.559 Why they existed, 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:17.240 Is because of, 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.679 God's direct involvement, 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.679 In their lives as well, 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:22.179 And so God, 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.259 Has the prerogative, 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:24.459 Not only to choose, 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.399 His vessel, 00:29:25.719 --> 00:29:26.000 Cyrus, 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.559 But to, 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.900 Exalt him, 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.720 And to make him, 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.539 Useful, 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.579 To accomplish, 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.839 His purposes, 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.480 And in doing this, 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.200 He says, 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.420 You are nothing, 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.539 Without me, 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:41.339 You are nothing, 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.180 Without me, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.920 I set you apart, 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.480 I put my affection, 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:45.980 On you, 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.720 I have commissioned you, 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.000 As my own, 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.019 Special vessel, 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.079 Any, 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.440 Blessing, 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.140 Or any, 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.059 Purpose, 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.500 Or any, 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.220 Product that you might be able, 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.119 To bring about, 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.720 Is because of my working, 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.460 In your life, 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:04.639 That's his primary means, 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.960 And we see, 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.240 Now his secondary means, 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.099 In verse 13, 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.500 His primary means, 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.279 Is resting, 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.019 In the, 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.179 In the character, 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.179 Of God alone, 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:16.119 His secondary means, 00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:16.980 Is that he chooses, 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.480 To let us be part, 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.779 Of the process, 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.299 To be his vessels, 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:23.000 To be his conduits, 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.859 Look at verse 13, 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:27.460 Chapter 45, 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.339 It says this, 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:31.460 I have stirred him up, 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.359 In righteousness, 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:34.359 I will make all his ways, 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.759 Level, 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:36.359 He shall build my city, 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:38.179 And set my exiles free, 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.339 Not for price, 00:30:39.399 --> 00:30:40.059 Or reward, 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.359 Says the Lord, 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.399 Of hosts, 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:46.299 God's favor, 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.539 Will be on Cyrus, 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.399 To raise him up, 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.700 To stir his heart, 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:52.940 This word, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.480 Stirring, 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.400 Is this word, 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.140 To arouse, 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.080 Or to awaken, 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.000 From sleep, 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:01.360 To make him alert, 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.279 It's used, 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.140 80 times, 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.259 Throughout the Old Testament, 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.220 And in every case, 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.340 Where it's translated, 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.279 To stir up, 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.600 It's always used, 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:12.180 In the understanding, 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.319 Of God's activity, 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.039 In leading, 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:15.160 His instruments, 00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:16.019 To accomplish, 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.019 His objectives, 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:19.059 God is the, 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:20.559 Is the divine mover, 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.960 Who is stirring hearts, 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.279 Arousing us, 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.480 To then accomplish, 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.079 The purposes, 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.900 That he has called us to do, 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.759 And amazingly, 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:30.319 It is used of God's power, 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.180 Over kingdoms, 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.819 17 times, 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.319 And particularly, 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.400 Used of Cyrus, 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.359 10 times, 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.339 Throughout the Old Testament, 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.720 It is a word, 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:41.259 Used almost entirely, 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:43.240 Of God's authority, 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.180 Over the nations, 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.379 And particularly, 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.180 God's authority, 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:46.940 Over Cyrus, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:49.379 Cyrus, 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.839 You may not know, 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.339 Who I am, 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.139 But I know who you are, 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:54.099 You don't exist yet, 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.039 But that doesn't matter, 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:56.279 I am setting, 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:58.420 My sights on you, 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.559 I will accomplish, 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:01.420 My purposes through you, 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.900 And I will make it happen, 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:05.680 I will stir up your heart, 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:07.139 And awaken within you, 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.759 An idea, 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.599 An understanding, 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.559 Of my objectives, 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:14.200 And coupled with my divine power, 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.619 You will be unstoppable, 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:18.619 Cyrus was one of those, 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:20.099 Secondary means, 00:32:20.739 --> 00:32:22.319 But not in this text, 00:32:22.419 --> 00:32:22.979 Is another, 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.500 Secondary means, 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.659 Somebody who had been, 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:28.379 Taken out of Jerusalem, 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:30.119 Somebody who had been, 00:32:30.179 --> 00:32:30.719 A prince, 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.259 In Jerusalem, 00:32:32.859 --> 00:32:34.000 Who had been moved, 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.159 Into Babylon, 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.159 Who had been brought up, 00:32:37.219 --> 00:32:37.979 In the courts, 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.199 Of Babylon, 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.719 And then had been, 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:42.099 Had been transferred, 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:43.639 To the courts of Persia, 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:45.459 And had a direct, 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.980 Line of access, 00:32:47.699 --> 00:32:48.579 Into the ear, 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:50.679 Of Cyrus himself, 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.419 Who is that? 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:53.899 Daniel, 00:32:54.459 --> 00:32:55.699 Daniel, 00:32:55.699 --> 00:32:57.099 Daniel as a man of God, 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.119 Now, 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:00.199 This blows me away, 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.539 Okay, 00:33:00.679 --> 00:33:01.500 This is a, 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:03.199 This is an amazing example, 00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:03.480 Of, 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.799 Of bending, 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.759 And resting, 00:33:06.219 --> 00:33:06.959 Through the twists, 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.139 And turns of life, 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:09.579 Daniel, 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.740 Who is in Jerusalem, 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.899 And if he would have been, 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:12.740 Like any of us, 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.159 Would have said, 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:13.599 Hey, 00:33:13.939 --> 00:33:14.859 I'm in a place, 00:33:14.879 --> 00:33:15.839 Of prominence here, 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.299 God, 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:16.960 If you're going to really, 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.619 Use me, 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.079 You keep me here, 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.659 In Jerusalem, 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.359 I've got a place, 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.199 Of position here, 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.059 I've got a place, 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.960 Of authority here, 00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.339 God, 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:27.579 Knocks off that plan, 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:27.960 And, 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.919 And moves him, 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.779 Off to Babylon, 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.659 Into exile, 00:33:31.139 --> 00:33:32.240 To be a slave, 00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:32.839 Essentially, 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:34.240 In another empire, 00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:35.939 And, 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:38.039 As chance, 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.980 Would have it, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:41.120 He was identified, 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.299 Along with his friends, 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:44.099 And allowed to be, 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:45.259 Trained in the courts, 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.819 Of Babylon, 00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:47.839 But, 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:49.539 But Daniel, 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.440 Wasn't going to be, 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.259 A man of compromise, 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:52.720 He was going to be, 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.960 A man who was committed, 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.440 And consistent, 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.460 A man of integrity, 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:58.480 To follow the ways of God, 00:33:58.680 --> 00:34:00.140 To submit himself, 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.980 To the purposes of God, 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:02.819 And what happened? 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.720 God used, 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:06.339 That submission, 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:08.280 To then raise him up, 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:09.320 To higher levels, 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:09.840 Within, 00:34:10.600 --> 00:34:11.420 Within the courts, 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.960 Of Babylon, 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.220 To be the, 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.640 The number two man, 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:15.400 And that, 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:17.100 In massive empire, 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:19.260 Than to be, 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.900 Relegated to, 00:34:21.100 --> 00:34:21.720 To the, 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.920 To the outskirts, 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.360 Once Nebuchadnezzar died, 00:34:25.080 --> 00:34:27.000 But then to reemerge, 00:34:27.060 --> 00:34:28.900 As the number two guy again, 00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:30.660 In another entire empire, 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.220 Of, 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.300 Of Persia, 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:35.900 Who could have imagined, 00:34:36.080 --> 00:34:37.120 That God would do that, 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.019 Through the twists, 00:34:38.160 --> 00:34:39.200 And turns of life, 00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:40.160 But it happened, 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.460 Because of Daniel's, 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.039 Willingness, 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.960 To submit his heart, 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:45.240 To the teaching, 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:45.960 Of the scripture, 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:47.000 To be a man, 00:34:47.080 --> 00:34:48.320 Who is committed to prayer, 00:34:48.600 --> 00:34:49.180 And a man, 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.720 Who is willing to trust, 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:53.120 In God's perfect, 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:55.160 Ordained plan, 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:55.760 For the future, 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:58.560 And so here is Daniel, 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.780 As we find, 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.960 In Daniel chapter nine, 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.099 He's reading, 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.059 Through the scripture, 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.119 And at the time, 00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:04.659 He's reading, 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.840 The book of Jeremiah, 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:07.360 And he notices, 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.220 In Jeremiah, 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:10.039 That in 70 years, 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:10.940 That the people, 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.300 Are going to be brought back, 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.000 To Jerusalem, 00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:14.500 And he says, 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:16.599 Wow, 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.860 It's been 70 years, 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.940 This is the time, 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:22.480 God's going to do this, 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:25.139 And so he prays it through, 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.780 And we see, 00:35:26.099 --> 00:35:27.720 This heart of a humble man, 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.460 Coming before the Lord, 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.840 In sackcloth, 00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:31.380 And ashes, 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.960 And in repentance, 00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:33.900 Before him, 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:35.260 And pleading with God, 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.440 To carry out his purposes, 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:39.960 And certainly having a copy, 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.760 Of the book of Isaiah, 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.300 In his hand, 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:42.800 And seeing, 00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:44.840 Cyrus, 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.740 His name is here, 00:35:47.100 --> 00:35:48.260 And wow, 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:49.340 He's right here, 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:51.880 He is the king now, 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.600 Over Babylon, 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:52.880 And, 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:55.760 God has put me, 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.500 Exactly, 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:58.360 Where he wants me to be, 00:35:58.360 --> 00:36:00.400 So I can speak the word, 00:36:00.680 --> 00:36:02.079 Into Cyrus' heart, 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.620 And as we look back, 00:36:03.700 --> 00:36:04.880 To Ezra chapter 1, 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.640 We can see, 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:07.320 The words of Cyrus, 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:09.860 Confirming the words of God, 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.300 And saying, 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:10.620 Hey, 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:12.400 I am the anointed, 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:13.559 Of God, 00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:14.539 To carry out, 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:15.280 His plans, 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.860 I'm going to send the people, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.780 Back to Jerusalem, 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.640 Because God has commissioned it, 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:21.380 Long before I even existed, 00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:24.920 The secondary means, 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.619 Of God to accomplish, 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:28.380 His primary purposes, 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.740 You see, 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.740 God wants to accomplish, 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:32.960 His purposes through you too, 00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:35.660 The question this morning, 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:37.320 Is will you align yourself, 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:38.680 To the purposes of God, 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.840 And will you allow, 00:36:40.840 --> 00:36:43.680 The plans of God, 00:36:43.760 --> 00:36:44.619 To be worked through, 00:36:44.760 --> 00:36:45.680 Your heart and life, 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:47.880 Regardless of the twists and turns, 00:36:48.140 --> 00:36:49.200 And the difficulties, 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.300 That you might experience, 00:36:50.300 --> 00:36:53.039 So that God can be exalted, 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:56.039 It takes us to our last point, 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:56.800 This morning, 00:36:57.620 --> 00:36:59.500 The point that we see, 00:36:59.600 --> 00:37:01.200 In verses 6 to 12, 00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:04.060 And that is that, 00:37:04.680 --> 00:37:05.460 That God's, 00:37:06.580 --> 00:37:07.700 We see God's purpose, 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:10.080 In the path that He takes, 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:12.700 We find God's purposes, 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:14.680 In the path that He takes, 00:37:15.560 --> 00:37:18.800 What is God's purpose? 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:21.640 Why does He do it this way? 00:37:22.660 --> 00:37:23.720 What is the point, 00:37:23.720 --> 00:37:26.039 Of raising up Cyrus? 00:37:26.260 --> 00:37:27.480 What is the point, 00:37:27.640 --> 00:37:29.340 Of looking down the road, 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.680 And doing something, 00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:31.539 That would have totally, 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:34.180 Confounded the wisdom of the day? 00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:36.300 Well, 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:37.100 The first purpose, 00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:38.440 Is that it underscores, 00:37:38.860 --> 00:37:40.920 The preeminence of God, 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:42.960 It underscores, 00:37:43.100 --> 00:37:44.720 The preeminence of God, 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:45.920 Look with me at verse 3, 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:48.900 It says, 00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:54.240 I will give you, 00:37:54.380 --> 00:37:55.579 The treasures of darkness, 00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:58.260 And the hordes in secret places, 00:37:58.400 --> 00:37:58.700 Why? 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.240 Here's the purpose, 00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:02.880 That you may know, 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:04.500 That it is I, 00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:05.659 The Lord, 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.460 The God of Israel, 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:10.579 Who call you by your name, 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:13.239 And then moving down, 00:38:13.299 --> 00:38:13.940 To verse 6, 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.400 That people, 00:38:17.239 --> 00:38:17.920 May know, 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:19.539 From the rising of the sun, 00:38:19.799 --> 00:38:20.940 And from the west, 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:22.319 That there is none, 00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:23.579 Besides me, 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:25.159 I am the Lord, 00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:26.119 And there is, 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.480 No other, 00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:30.019 What other explanation, 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.840 Is there? 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.559 Notice, 00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:33.480 The heart of God, 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:35.279 The heart of God, 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:37.059 Not just to establish, 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:40.480 The preeminence of his wisdom, 00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:42.900 But notice, 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.940 Even in the contrast, 00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:45.179 Of these verses, 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.400 How they, 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:48.299 How they're phrased, 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.639 It says in verse 3, 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:52.820 I will give you the treasures, 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:54.799 That you may know, 00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:56.380 That I am the Lord, 00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:57.860 That you, 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.380 Cyrus, 00:38:58.559 --> 00:38:59.460 Might understand, 00:39:01.039 --> 00:39:02.320 Who I am, 00:39:03.460 --> 00:39:04.440 And then, 00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:05.440 In verse 6, 00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:06.840 The difference, 00:39:07.320 --> 00:39:08.440 That people may know, 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.400 From the rising of the sun, 00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:11.579 And from the west, 00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.679 That there is none, 00:39:12.820 --> 00:39:13.460 Besides me, 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:15.460 We see, 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:16.559 Throughout this, 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:17.400 Passage, 00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:17.740 And now, 00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:18.179 Particularly, 00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:19.200 At the end, 00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:19.760 It says, 00:39:20.679 --> 00:39:21.659 Towards the end here, 00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:22.099 In verse, 00:39:22.539 --> 00:39:23.320 Twenty, 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:25.400 Twenty-three, 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:30.000 I myself, 00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:30.619 Have sworn, 00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.400 From the mouth, 00:39:31.679 --> 00:39:32.480 That has gone out, 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.159 In righteousness, 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:33.920 A word, 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:35.039 That shall not return, 00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:36.159 To me, 00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:37.159 Every knee, 00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:37.860 Every knee, 00:39:37.860 --> 00:39:38.759 Shall bow, 00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:40.759 Every tongue, 00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:41.960 Shall swear, 00:39:42.400 --> 00:39:43.159 Allegiance, 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:44.980 And then, 00:39:45.079 --> 00:39:45.800 In verse 25, 00:39:46.199 --> 00:39:47.300 In the Lord, 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:49.119 All the offspring of Israel, 00:39:49.380 --> 00:39:50.500 Shall be justified, 00:39:51.279 --> 00:39:52.219 And shall glory, 00:39:52.779 --> 00:39:54.500 The heart of God, 00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:55.400 In demonstrating, 00:39:55.779 --> 00:39:57.079 His preeminence, 00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.460 Is not just, 00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.679 To put himself up, 00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:01.500 As the superior one, 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:04.360 But to put himself there, 00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:06.079 So that we can enter in, 00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:08.159 So that we can enjoy, 00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:08.820 So that we can, 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.980 We can recognize, 00:40:10.420 --> 00:40:11.079 Who he is, 00:40:11.219 --> 00:40:12.719 As distinct from the world, 00:40:12.780 --> 00:40:13.900 And we can worship him, 00:40:14.619 --> 00:40:16.179 We can recognize him, 00:40:16.239 --> 00:40:16.559 We can, 00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:18.400 We can delight, 00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:19.320 In him, 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:20.820 In understanding, 00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:21.760 Who he is, 00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:25.380 Whenever, 00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:25.440 Whenever, 00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:27.800 We see this, 00:40:28.040 --> 00:40:29.320 In this chapter, 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:29.900 Throughout, 00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.600 The rest of, 00:40:32.240 --> 00:40:33.280 Of scripture, 00:40:33.460 --> 00:40:33.920 And particularly, 00:40:34.180 --> 00:40:35.260 In the book of Ezekiel, 00:40:36.140 --> 00:40:37.180 We see throughout, 00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:38.260 The book of Ezekiel, 00:40:38.660 --> 00:40:39.060 80, 00:40:39.160 --> 00:40:40.260 Or 75 times, 00:40:40.360 --> 00:40:40.780 Where he says, 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:42.540 He says this, 00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:43.940 Then you will know, 00:40:43.940 --> 00:40:45.220 That I am the Lord, 00:40:45.219 --> 00:40:47.679 God's desire, 00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:49.139 Is to set himself up, 00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:50.859 In providing these, 00:40:50.980 --> 00:40:51.839 Prophetic, 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.939 Those prophetic words, 00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:56.199 To help us understand, 00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.679 His distinctiveness, 00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.980 His preeminence, 00:40:59.579 --> 00:41:01.719 And so in trusting him, 00:41:01.759 --> 00:41:02.779 It's not a blind faith, 00:41:03.739 --> 00:41:04.759 We recognize, 00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:06.399 The unfailing testimony, 00:41:07.219 --> 00:41:08.599 Of God's preeminence, 00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:10.059 And it sets him apart, 00:41:11.379 --> 00:41:12.799 It is his desire, 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:14.699 That the world would recognize, 00:41:14.699 --> 00:41:16.359 His distinctiveness too, 00:41:16.799 --> 00:41:18.379 And come and worship him, 00:41:19.359 --> 00:41:20.000 But finally, 00:41:20.099 --> 00:41:21.059 What I want us to recognize, 00:41:21.159 --> 00:41:21.699 Is not only, 00:41:21.859 --> 00:41:23.079 The preeminence of God, 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:23.919 That is his purpose, 00:41:24.559 --> 00:41:26.339 But I also want us to understand, 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:27.579 That it underscores, 00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:29.259 The invincibility, 00:41:29.759 --> 00:41:30.379 Of his people, 00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:32.559 The invincibility, 00:41:32.779 --> 00:41:33.419 Of his people, 00:41:34.319 --> 00:41:35.799 Those who surrender, 00:41:35.799 --> 00:41:37.039 To God's purposes, 00:41:37.039 --> 00:41:37.799 For their lives, 00:41:38.079 --> 00:41:40.079 Will not fail, 00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:42.500 They cannot fail, 00:41:42.579 --> 00:41:43.000 Because, 00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:45.579 They have the unfailing strength, 00:41:45.619 --> 00:41:46.360 Of God working, 00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:47.780 Through their lives, 00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:49.880 As long as they are walking, 00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.960 In the path of God, 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.519 The path that he has set for them, 00:41:52.880 --> 00:41:54.199 They are invincible, 00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:56.519 The certainty, 00:41:57.039 --> 00:41:58.000 Of their productivity, 00:41:58.219 --> 00:41:59.099 And usefulness, 00:41:59.380 --> 00:42:00.559 Rests in the wisdom, 00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:02.139 And the power of God, 00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:02.699 To perform, 00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:03.780 Thus, 00:42:03.780 --> 00:42:04.880 Rendering them, 00:42:05.260 --> 00:42:06.039 Unstoppable, 00:42:06.039 --> 00:42:06.099 Unstoppable, 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:08.539 Now don't misunderstand, 00:42:09.420 --> 00:42:11.679 In rendering us, 00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:12.519 Unstoppable, 00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:15.719 In rendering us, 00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:16.559 Unfailing, 00:42:16.759 --> 00:42:17.559 It is not saying, 00:42:17.699 --> 00:42:18.320 That you are not going, 00:42:18.380 --> 00:42:18.980 To experience, 00:42:19.259 --> 00:42:19.940 Difficulty, 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.880 Doesn't mean, 00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:22.659 That you are not going, 00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:23.559 To be persecuted, 00:42:24.019 --> 00:42:24.619 Does not mean, 00:42:24.699 --> 00:42:25.000 That you are going, 00:42:25.019 --> 00:42:26.279 To be treated unjustly, 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:27.239 Does not mean, 00:42:27.239 --> 00:42:27.880 There is not going to be, 00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:28.880 Twists and turns, 00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.880 In your life, 00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:30.639 But it means, 00:42:30.739 --> 00:42:31.559 That God will use, 00:42:31.559 --> 00:42:32.800 Those things in your life, 00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:33.639 To accomplish, 00:42:33.759 --> 00:42:34.320 His purposes, 00:42:34.320 --> 00:42:36.220 They will be unfailing, 00:42:36.700 --> 00:42:38.039 Because you have, 00:42:38.100 --> 00:42:38.920 An unfailing God, 00:42:40.200 --> 00:42:43.200 The preeminent example, 00:42:43.340 --> 00:42:44.100 Is Jesus Christ, 00:42:44.940 --> 00:42:46.880 The preeminent example, 00:42:47.120 --> 00:42:48.380 Is the one, 00:42:48.600 --> 00:42:49.220 Who came, 00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:50.640 In perfect submission, 00:42:50.800 --> 00:42:52.200 To the father's will, 00:42:53.660 --> 00:42:54.640 Of course, 00:42:54.780 --> 00:42:55.280 We understand, 00:42:55.280 --> 00:42:56.280 What happened in his life, 00:42:56.380 --> 00:42:57.140 We understand, 00:42:57.380 --> 00:42:58.300 That he was mistreated, 00:42:58.460 --> 00:42:59.120 We understand, 00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:00.400 That he was put on a cross, 00:43:00.860 --> 00:43:02.580 But in his obedience, 00:43:03.080 --> 00:43:03.840 He accomplished, 00:43:03.840 --> 00:43:05.380 The greatest objective, 00:43:05.680 --> 00:43:06.680 That God ever had, 00:43:06.740 --> 00:43:07.320 For humanity, 00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:09.720 To reconcile, 00:43:09.720 --> 00:43:11.079 Us to himself, 00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:12.559 To make a way, 00:43:12.680 --> 00:43:13.240 For fellowship, 00:43:14.400 --> 00:43:15.600 That's what happens, 00:43:15.680 --> 00:43:16.920 When we align ourselves, 00:43:17.559 --> 00:43:18.500 To the wisdom, 00:43:19.019 --> 00:43:19.780 And to the power, 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:20.420 Of God, 00:43:20.620 --> 00:43:21.640 We will be, 00:43:21.640 --> 00:43:22.300 Unstoppable, 00:43:23.300 --> 00:43:24.519 Not because, 00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:26.059 The power, 00:43:26.220 --> 00:43:26.860 Is within us, 00:43:27.780 --> 00:43:28.420 But because, 00:43:28.579 --> 00:43:29.519 We have yielded, 00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:30.079 Ourselves, 00:43:30.180 --> 00:43:31.340 To the perfect plan, 00:43:31.380 --> 00:43:31.780 Of God, 00:43:31.880 --> 00:43:33.140 Who will bring about, 00:43:33.139 --> 00:43:33.739 His purposes, 00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:34.319 In our life, 00:43:34.779 --> 00:43:36.819 There's a lot of excuses, 00:43:37.679 --> 00:43:38.460 Maybe, 00:43:38.659 --> 00:43:39.759 You're saying this morning, 00:43:39.879 --> 00:43:39.960 Well, 00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:40.920 I'm just too old, 00:43:41.480 --> 00:43:43.480 God can't use me anymore, 00:43:44.819 --> 00:43:45.719 And I say, 00:43:46.219 --> 00:43:48.019 Look at the life, 00:43:48.179 --> 00:43:49.099 Of Daniel, 00:43:50.099 --> 00:43:51.299 He was in his 90s, 00:43:51.319 --> 00:43:52.719 Before Cyrus ever came, 00:43:53.219 --> 00:43:53.779 Into power, 00:43:54.619 --> 00:43:55.900 Look at the life, 00:43:56.139 --> 00:43:57.379 Of Margaret Brown, 00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:59.519 Who was willing, 00:43:59.519 --> 00:44:00.559 To invest, 00:44:00.700 --> 00:44:01.160 In the life, 00:44:01.200 --> 00:44:02.019 Of a younger man, 00:44:02.840 --> 00:44:03.680 Who knows, 00:44:04.059 --> 00:44:05.079 What God will accomplish, 00:44:05.340 --> 00:44:06.119 In his life, 00:44:06.320 --> 00:44:07.460 Because of her faithfulness, 00:44:08.460 --> 00:44:09.260 Maybe you say, 00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:10.039 I'm too young, 00:44:11.780 --> 00:44:12.599 Into that, 00:44:13.340 --> 00:44:14.000 Paul's words, 00:44:14.059 --> 00:44:14.500 To Timothy, 00:44:14.760 --> 00:44:15.039 Says, 00:44:15.340 --> 00:44:15.960 Don't let anyone, 00:44:16.019 --> 00:44:16.920 Despise your youth, 00:44:17.619 --> 00:44:18.960 But be an example, 00:44:19.079 --> 00:44:19.500 In word, 00:44:19.619 --> 00:44:20.160 In conduct, 00:44:20.280 --> 00:44:20.900 In faith, 00:44:20.980 --> 00:44:21.559 In love, 00:44:22.180 --> 00:44:24.140 Rise to the occasion, 00:44:24.280 --> 00:44:25.420 Let God's power, 00:44:25.420 --> 00:44:26.840 Speak through your life, 00:44:26.840 --> 00:44:28.860 Maybe you say, 00:44:29.039 --> 00:44:29.200 Well, 00:44:29.920 --> 00:44:31.180 I'm just a mom, 00:44:32.160 --> 00:44:34.160 How can God use me? 00:44:35.180 --> 00:44:36.079 And I think of, 00:44:36.100 --> 00:44:37.700 The life of Susanna Wesley, 00:44:38.620 --> 00:44:39.519 I think of the, 00:44:39.519 --> 00:44:40.240 The men, 00:44:40.440 --> 00:44:41.260 John Wesley, 00:44:41.340 --> 00:44:42.380 And Charles Wesley, 00:44:42.700 --> 00:44:44.039 Who we still enjoy, 00:44:44.200 --> 00:44:44.920 Not only the, 00:44:44.960 --> 00:44:46.579 The richness of theology, 00:44:46.700 --> 00:44:47.860 And the hymns that we sing, 00:44:48.120 --> 00:44:49.280 But also in the, 00:44:49.380 --> 00:44:51.039 The legacy of men, 00:44:51.160 --> 00:44:51.980 Who loved God, 00:44:52.059 --> 00:44:53.440 And spoke for him, 00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:55.160 There is not only, 00:44:55.400 --> 00:44:56.820 An effect in the day, 00:44:56.840 --> 00:44:57.940 That they were living in, 00:44:58.039 --> 00:44:59.539 But an effect that continues, 00:44:59.539 --> 00:45:00.360 To last, 00:45:00.539 --> 00:45:01.559 To this present day, 00:45:02.720 --> 00:45:03.740 Maybe you say, 00:45:03.820 --> 00:45:03.980 Well, 00:45:04.480 --> 00:45:05.760 I don't have a, 00:45:05.760 --> 00:45:07.240 Seminary education, 00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:09.320 And I think of the life, 00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:10.240 Of David Brainerd, 00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:11.840 David Brainerd, 00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:13.260 Died at the age of 29, 00:45:14.640 --> 00:45:15.100 He, 00:45:15.260 --> 00:45:16.400 Suffered with, 00:45:16.480 --> 00:45:17.519 Crazy, 00:45:18.039 --> 00:45:19.300 Physical issues, 00:45:19.760 --> 00:45:20.840 But through it all, 00:45:20.960 --> 00:45:21.800 There was a resting, 00:45:21.960 --> 00:45:22.800 And a waiting in God, 00:45:22.900 --> 00:45:24.300 And he wrote this journal, 00:45:24.300 --> 00:45:25.920 That ended up being, 00:45:25.920 --> 00:45:26.620 The catalyst, 00:45:27.120 --> 00:45:27.860 For the modern, 00:45:27.960 --> 00:45:28.680 Missions movement, 00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:30.920 It went into the hands, 00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:32.120 Of great men, 00:45:32.160 --> 00:45:33.160 Like Hudson Taylor, 00:45:33.280 --> 00:45:34.160 And William Carey, 00:45:34.320 --> 00:45:35.920 And it inspired them, 00:45:36.000 --> 00:45:36.760 To love God, 00:45:36.920 --> 00:45:37.740 And to trust him, 00:45:37.820 --> 00:45:38.560 Through any adversity, 00:45:39.560 --> 00:45:42.039 There could be, 00:45:42.120 --> 00:45:42.920 Any number of excuses, 00:45:43.120 --> 00:45:43.560 This morning, 00:45:44.560 --> 00:45:46.740 But God wants, 00:45:46.820 --> 00:45:47.700 To work his will, 00:45:47.760 --> 00:45:48.480 Out in our life, 00:45:48.580 --> 00:45:49.800 If we just surrender, 00:45:49.900 --> 00:45:50.620 To his plans, 00:45:50.619 --> 00:45:52.159 And if we do, 00:45:52.219 --> 00:45:52.900 The power of God, 00:45:52.940 --> 00:45:53.500 Will show up, 00:45:54.380 --> 00:45:55.639 Will accomplish his purposes, 00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:57.119 And we will be, 00:45:57.119 --> 00:45:57.859 Unstoppable, 00:45:58.500 --> 00:45:59.019 For him, 00:45:59.440 --> 00:46:00.139 For his glory, 00:46:00.579 --> 00:46:01.059 Let's pray, 00:46:01.839 --> 00:46:06.359 Lord, 00:46:06.440 --> 00:46:06.799 We say, 00:46:07.039 --> 00:46:07.719 Not to us, 00:46:08.400 --> 00:46:09.940 But to your name, 00:46:10.519 --> 00:46:11.119 Give praise, 00:46:11.900 --> 00:46:12.839 Our desire, 00:46:13.039 --> 00:46:14.239 Is not to put ourselves, 00:46:14.400 --> 00:46:15.619 In the spotlight, 00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:16.539 Our desire, 00:46:16.539 --> 00:46:18.179 Is to submit ourselves, 00:46:18.359 --> 00:46:19.819 To the sovereign hand, 00:46:19.820 --> 00:46:20.320 Of God, 00:46:21.000 --> 00:46:22.019 To your purposes, 00:46:22.260 --> 00:46:23.580 So that we can be useful, 00:46:24.460 --> 00:46:25.920 So there can be, 00:46:26.100 --> 00:46:27.460 Some productivity in life, 00:46:28.360 --> 00:46:29.539 So that we can, 00:46:29.680 --> 00:46:30.780 Look back on, 00:46:30.980 --> 00:46:31.940 On a legacy, 00:46:32.200 --> 00:46:33.380 Of your faithfulness, 00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:35.260 And using us, 00:46:35.380 --> 00:46:36.440 As weak vessels, 00:46:36.600 --> 00:46:37.340 To accomplish, 00:46:37.800 --> 00:46:39.140 Your eternal purposes, 00:46:39.340 --> 00:46:39.980 In this world, 00:46:41.200 --> 00:46:42.820 Purposes that will lead, 00:46:43.820 --> 00:46:44.780 To people, 00:46:45.000 --> 00:46:45.640 In this world, 00:46:45.860 --> 00:46:46.580 Bowing the knee, 00:46:46.640 --> 00:46:47.260 Before our Lord, 00:46:47.260 --> 00:46:47.640 And Savior, 00:46:47.760 --> 00:46:48.440 Jesus Christ, 00:46:48.720 --> 00:46:49.800 That is our desire, 00:46:49.820 --> 00:46:51.720 And so, 00:46:51.920 --> 00:46:52.460 This morning, 00:46:52.580 --> 00:46:53.420 We bow ourselves, 00:46:54.059 --> 00:46:54.480 And we pray, 00:46:54.620 --> 00:46:55.300 That you would have, 00:46:55.380 --> 00:46:56.420 Your way in our lives, 00:46:56.800 --> 00:46:59.000 So that we can be useful, 00:46:59.780 --> 00:47:01.200 In this world for you, 00:47:01.340 --> 00:47:01.740 We pray, 00:47:01.880 --> 00:47:02.480 In Jesus name, 00:47:02.920 --> 00:47:03.160 Amen.