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Isaiah 45:4 - How do we know that God is the Lord and there is no other? - Day 164

Good afternoon fellow exiles and pilgrims,

Making a return to Luther's 4 strands in prayer.  Have somewhat been out of the habit.  Devotions are to be a launching pad for prayer.  Just reading and coming up with some nice conclusions is not the goal.  For those who may have missed by sermon on praying scripture, I mentioned Luther's book "A simple way to pray"  You can find it online.

Blessings,

Jeff

This passage specifically addresses God's relationship to Cyrus, the future Persian king who would end Judah's captivity.

Observations

Repetition of "though you do not know me".  Of course Cyrus doesn't know the Lord because Cyrus hasn't been born yet. But the point seems to be that even when God actually does these things in the life of Cyrus, he will still not know God.  Cyrus will freely do what God has ordained and will take all the credit for having done so. 

Why does God do these things?

For the sake of my servant Jacob and Israel my chosen and that people may know. Think about this.  All of history from creation to the captivity of Judah in Babylon was to provide a stage for God to that He is the Lord and there is no other.  All these events have a purpose.  They reveal God's omniscience and omnipotence for all people everywhere to see.  Implied is that history is linear, not cyclic.  There is a beginning, an end and a purpose which are all determined by God.  

Instruction - what does God expect from me? - Live in light to the fact that God is the Lord and there is no other.  Interpret all that happens as pointing to His sovereignty.  Praise His name.

Thanksgiving - Historical events are not an end in themselves.  Current events are not an end in themselves.    Your creatures are to be in awe of the LORD of history.

Confession - being anxious about results of political and social changes.  Living as if these are not under Your control and for Your purpose.

Supplication - Realize that while You are God and there is no other, prayer is not superfluous.  You command Your people to pray and let our requests be made known to You.  Prayer really is in the chief exercise of faith.  

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