DCLM Daily Manna 27 January 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Fulfilling Prophecies
TOPIC: Fulfilling Prophecies (DCLM Daily Manna 27 January 2023)
KEY VERSE: “1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (Ezra 1:1-2).
TEXT: Ezra 1:1-6 (KJV)
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
MESSAGE:
In the ancient Medes and Persian empire, the words spoken or written by kings, especially when it was signed with the royal signet were considered unalterable. Once the decree went out, the outcome was backed by the intergrity of the king.
That was the case of Darius the king of Persia, who though favoured and respected Daniel, one of his highest officers, could not do anything to countervail his own decree. If mere mortals could so hold dear the personal integrity of their words, how about a holy and righteous God?
Judging by the situations, challenges and lamentations that attended the ministry of Prophet Jeremiah, it may have seemed that his prophecies were spoken to deaf ears. Though some prophecies expressly came to pass during his own day, Jeremiah himself was discouraged and distraught about the response he received for speaking God’s word to a people that were not ready to hear it.
The book of Ezra, however, brought a fresh perspective to the effectiveness and ministry of Jeremiah, and more importantly, to the subject of God’s faithfulness and integrity. Thus, King Cyrus who made the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, Ezra the Scribe who figures who came to be known as architects to restore and rebuild this broken walls of Jerusalem, were all prepared by God, using the instrumentality of the ministry of Prophet Jeremiah.
There is every reason to take God at His words. Though Jeremiah, Isaiah and the rest of the prophets that had prophesied about the coming of Cyrus the Persian king were no longer alive, God still fulfilled His words.
When God makes a promise, He often does not watch the weather or considers who rules amongst men, or the times or epoch to determine its fulfilment. He only watches over the integrity of His word to fulfil it.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God’s word is a token of His integrity; you can stand on it.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 37-38
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
