2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, 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, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord given me, and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up,
An unbelieving and godless pagan ruler was used by God do God’s will and carry out His purposes for His people. God stirred him up to make a proclamation that the Jewish people could go back to their land and rebuild the temple. Cyrus responded to the Lord’s charge, knowingly or unknowingly, to fulfill the plan and purpose of God. Although he says it was the Lord who gave him the kingdoms of the earth, it is doubtful that he was converted to believe in the Lord as God. Yet this heathen unbeliever responded positively to the stirring of God. God can use anyone, even a dumb donkey, to get His will done for His people.
The Lord even used the devil, the pagan Roman government, and the unbelieving Jewish authorities to get His Son crucified for our good and for the salvation of all. Even though the response of our enemies was motivated by evil intent, God used their response for our good. They reluctantly and unconsciously did God’s will. God in His love can move heaven and earth, and even the hearts of enemies, to do His will. The most stubborn anti-God person in the world can be used of God to save and love His beloved.
Therefore, we pray, “Thy will be done,” despite the opposition to the will of God. When things were at their most hopeless, the faithful people of God prayed in Captivity, and God answered their prayers in the most unexpected way possible.
This kind of story strengthens our faith and encourages our hope, even in times of dire trouble. God hears our prayers and delivers us from captivity to sin, death, and every evil. Our response: pray for God’s will!