📖 September 24
Today’s Reading: Ezra 1; Psalm 84–85; Luke 7
📖 September 24
Today’s Reading: Ezra 1; Psalm 84–85; Luke 7
Scripture Focus
“In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: ‘This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!’” (Ezra 1:1–3 NLT)
“Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And all their neighbors assisted by giving them articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings.” (Ezra 1:5–6 NLT)
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Reflection
Ezra 1 marks the fulfillment of God’s promise after 70 years in Babylon. Long before Cyrus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote that God would raise up a ruler by name—Cyrus—who would command Jerusalem to be rebuilt and the Temple restored (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). Now, in Ezra 1, God stirs Cyrus’s heart to proclaim that “the Lord, the God of heaven” had given him authority over the nations. Though Cyrus did not know God in covenant relationship, he acknowledged His power and fulfilled exactly what God had spoken, proving that even pagan kings are instruments in the Lord’s hand to accomplish His perfect plan.
But there’s a deeper lesson here—seventy years is a long trial. Most who went into captivity had already died, and only the very young at the time of exile would now be old enough to see this day. Imagine holding onto a promise for that long, generation after generation, wondering if the light would ever break through the tunnel. And yet, here it is—God’s Word coming to pass right on time. His promises never fail because He is sovereign and in control (Jeremiah 1:12; Numbers 23:19).
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Lesson for Me
I asked the Lord, “What is the lesson here?” and He answered, “I’m in control.”
Either I believe He is always sovereign, or I don’t. There is no middle ground. He is the Sovereign God, always holding everything together, ruling over all creation. This truth about God is a solid anchor for my soul when everything else seems to be falling apart.
When the world looks unstable, when nations rage, when my own life feels out of control—God is still in control. He will fulfill His promises. I can rest, not because circumstances are steady, but because my God is steady. His sovereignty is not just a truth to know in my head, but a reality to cling to in my heart.
As Psalm 84 reminds me, “Blessed are those whose strength is in You” (v. 5). And Psalm 85 declares, “Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land” (v. 9). His promises always come to pass, because He is faithful and He is in control.
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Application Questions
1.Where in my life right now do I need to shift from simply saying “God is in control” to truly believing it in a way that transforms my choices and calms my soul?
2.How can I encourage someone else who feels like they are still “in exile” to hold onto God’s promises?
3.What promises of God am I waiting on right now—and how does His sovereignty help me wait with faith instead of fear?
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Prayer 🙏
Lord, You are sovereign. You hold all things together by the power of Your Word. Forgive me when I doubt or when I let fear take root in my heart. Teach me to rest in the truth that You are in control—over nations, over rulers, over my life, and even over the smallest details. Anchor my soul in Your promises, and give me strength to trust You in the waiting, until I see Your Word fulfilled. Amen.
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Takeaway
God’s sovereignty is not just a truth to say—it is an anchor to hold. No matter how long the trial, His promises will always come to pass, for He is faithful and He is in control.
Today’s Reading: Ezra 1; Psalm 84–85; Luke 7
Scripture Focus
“In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: ‘This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!’” (Ezra 1:1–3 NLT)
“Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And all their neighbors assisted by giving them articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings.” (Ezra 1:5–6 NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Ezra 1 marks the fulfillment of God’s promise after 70 years in Babylon. Long before Cyrus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote that God would raise up a ruler by name—Cyrus—who would command Jerusalem to be rebuilt and the Temple restored (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). Now, in Ezra 1, God stirs Cyrus’s heart to proclaim that “the Lord, the God of heaven” had given him authority over the nations. Though Cyrus did not know God in covenant relationship, he acknowledged His power and fulfilled exactly what God had spoken, proving that even pagan kings are instruments in the Lord’s hand to accomplish His perfect plan.
But there’s a deeper lesson here—seventy years is a long trial. Most who went into captivity had already died, and only the very young at the time of exile would now be old enough to see this day. Imagine holding onto a promise for that long, generation after generation, wondering if the light would ever break through the tunnel. And yet, here it is—God’s Word coming to pass right on time. His promises never fail because He is sovereign and in control (Jeremiah 1:12; Numbers 23:19).
⸻
Lesson for Me
I asked the Lord, “What is the lesson here?” and He answered, “I’m in control.”
Either I believe He is always sovereign, or I don’t. There is no middle ground. He is the Sovereign God, always holding everything together, ruling over all creation. This truth about God is a solid anchor for my soul when everything else seems to be falling apart.
When the world looks unstable, when nations rage, when my own life feels out of control—God is still in control. He will fulfill His promises. I can rest, not because circumstances are steady, but because my God is steady. His sovereignty is not just a truth to know in my head, but a reality to cling to in my heart.
As Psalm 84 reminds me, “Blessed are those whose strength is in You” (v. 5). And Psalm 85 declares, “Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land” (v. 9). His promises always come to pass, because He is faithful and He is in control.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where in my life right now do I need to shift from simply saying “God is in control” to truly believing it in a way that transforms my choices and calms my soul?
2.How can I encourage someone else who feels like they are still “in exile” to hold onto God’s promises?
3.What promises of God am I waiting on right now—and how does His sovereignty help me wait with faith instead of fear?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, You are sovereign. You hold all things together by the power of Your Word. Forgive me when I doubt or when I let fear take root in my heart. Teach me to rest in the truth that You are in control—over nations, over rulers, over my life, and even over the smallest details. Anchor my soul in Your promises, and give me strength to trust You in the waiting, until I see Your Word fulfilled. Amen.
⸻
Takeaway
God’s sovereignty is not just a truth to say—it is an anchor to hold. No matter how long the trial, His promises will always come to pass, for He is faithful and He is in control.