Isaiah 44:28 (ESV) -- who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”

Many Christians affirm that God is all-powerful. Yet within the same peoples’ minds they often hold the belief that God can only influence, move, and direct the lives of those who willingly submit to Him and love Him. Nothing could be further from the truth. If God is truly all-powerful, and He is the Creator of every human being, then He has rights over their lives.

Our passage today displays this truth in full color. We read in Isaiah 44:28, “who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”

Cyrus is the king of Persia. The Persians did not worship the God of Israel. They had their own gods and beliefs. They were not children of Abraham, nor did they possess the law of Moses for directing their lives. The easy thing to conclude from this is that Cyrus is outside the direction of God since he doesn’t willingly submit to Him or worship Him. But nothing could be further from the truth. We read God say of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd.” Notice the possessive here. God sees Cyrus as His shepherd. He continues, “and he shall fulfill all my purpose.” Cyrus is going to fulfill God’s purposes, but it will not look like Cyrus waking up each day praying for guidance or seeking God’s will. It will look like inclinations of the heart and ideas of the mind leading him to do God’s work. Cyrus will not know he’s doing God’s bidding, but we do. 

Passages of Scripture like this are so important for us. They reveal the true majesty of God’s power and sovereignty. He’s over all things, including those who deny Him. He is not in need of consent in order to act in a person’s life. As Creator, He forever maintains ownership rights over the lives of men. This is a great comfort today. Even the wicked rulers of nations are under God’s reign. They freely act according to their will, but cannot move apart from the direction of God according to His sovereignty. Cyrus is the shepherd of the Lord. Do not fear earthly rulers. Fear the God who holds all things in His hands. Worship Him in awe and reverence today.

Reflection & Journal:
- Why does God call Cyrus His shepherd?
- What does this passage reveal about the attribute of God’s sovereignty and power?
- How does this text help us find peace in the midst of troubles in the world?

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