SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 45
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. [Isaiah 45:22]
Isaiah makes the amazing claim that God is directing King Cyrus (of Babylon) to overcome the Assyrians and eventually restore Israel as a nation [read Cyrus’ decree in Ezra 1:1-4].
He asserts that God is in charge of the direction of history; He did not introduce sin and evil into the world, but now that we have unleashed the curse, He is directing it for His purpose.
What we have done for evil, He is working out for good; His purpose is to defeat Satan and sin and death and hell, and restore His kingdom creation and His all nation family.
Everything He does is designed to draw people back to Himself: From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. [Acts 17:26-27]

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. [John 12:31-32]
Cyrus was God’s servant through whom He rescued His covenant people; Jesus is also God’s servant, through whom He rescues His all nation family.
Through war and violence, God directs Cyrus’ actions for a good purpose; through betrayal and violence and crucifixion, God directs Jesus’ life for a good purpose – to defeat the prince of this world and to restore His family and His creation.
In both cases – in all cases – God does what He does to draw all people to Himself.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him…

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. [Isaiah 45:7]
When we read these words, we question how God can be good – God brings prosperity and disaster?
What about His concern for the poor, why does He allow the rich to oppress them?
But it’s all a matter of perspective, and our perspective is very limited.
God is not the cause of evil in the world, but neither is our evil greater than God.
We have unleashed sin and selfishness and its consequences in the world, but God is not allowing it to ruin what He designed for good.
God is directing the affairs of this world – including where prosperity and poverty exist – and God determines the exact times and places where people live; all of it is for a purpose.
This is more than an abstract idea, it applies to my life, my time, my location, my experience.
Everything that God allows and works out in my life is intended by Him to draw me back to Him, to allow Him to be Lord of my life again so I can experience the blessing He created me for.
He is more concerned for me, and for the poor, than we are.
But to help me, I must turn to Him, trust Him, surrender to Him.
Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. [Isaiah 45:22]

PRAYER:
Lord, instead of blaming or accusing You, help me to trust You and to see that You are working everything out in my life for a good purpose. Nothing can separate me from Your love!