God Can Use Anyone {Ezra 1:1-3:13}
12:00 AM
The prophet Isaiah wrote a prophecy concerning one whom God called “His anointed”. (Is. 44:28-45:25) A man who God would take by the right hand. This man would subdue nations, rebuild God’s temple and shepherd the Lord’s people. Who was this man? No other than Cyrus the great. A mighty king of Persia who didn’t know God, and who followed his own rules. And yet roughly 150 years later, this unbelieving king became an instrument of God, proving that not only does God keep His promises, He can use anyone to do so.
Because of their sins of idolatry and rebellion, God allowed the Jewish people to become captives and taken to Babylon. But in Jeremiah 29:10 God promised, “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place’.” To fulfill this good word, God used Cyrus. “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom.” (Ezra 1:1) This proclamation allowed the exiled Jews to be freed; to return to their holy land and rebuild the temple. Cyrus even restored the temple treasures to Jerusalem and allowed building expenses to be paid from the royal treasury (Ezra 1:4-11);(Ezra 6:4-5). And all of this happened at God’s hand. He rules all; even the actions of a pagan king. For as proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like the channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”
Throughout Scripture we find God using believers, nonbelievers, and even His enemies to accomplish His will. He is the Sovereign Creator of the universe. And because of this no matter what; not our past, not our shortcomings, not even the condition of our hearts prevents Him from using us for His purpose. Think about the story of Pharaoh in Exodus. We know that God used Moses powerfully to save His people, but He also used Pharaoh to bring about His desired results. Just like Paul says in Romans 9:17, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the entire earth’.”
God’s not looking for perfect people to accomplish His goals. In fact, He doesn’t need our help at all. Instead He gives us the privilege of being used by Him. Whether we are given a small purpose like volunteering at church, or being a friend to someone in need, or given a large purpose like leading His people or rebuilding His temple, being used by God is a wonderful thing! I love how Pastor Rick Warren puts it, “Remember the basics. You were planned for God’s pleasure, formed for God’s family, created to become like Christ, shaped for service, and made for a mission! These are the purposes for which God made you!”
The next time you feel unusable by God, reflect on 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 which says, “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, or many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.” The Lord loves to use the weak, the simple, the unexpected, and the flawed. There’s a saying that goes, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” No matter who you are or how imperfect you feel, when it comes to accomplishing His will the Lord can and will use anyone or anything. And no matter our circumstances, that includes you and me!
“Think about the people in your own life, believers and nonbelievers. How is God using them to work in your life? Take time to thank Him that He is not bound by our preconceived ideas about who is ‘worthy’ or not to do His bidding”....iworship Bible
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