FAITH CAPSULE: When the heart is stirred, the ear will hear.

Ezra 1

When it was time for the children of Israel to return to their home land from the captivity of seventy years, God did not use a prophet like Moses. God used Cyrus, an unbeliever, to accomplish His purpose. When it was God’s time to move, the Bible recorded, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia…” (Ezra 1:1) It is important to note, that God stirred the spirit of Cyrus before Cyrus could hear and accomplish his divine agenda. This indeed testifies to the fact that when the heart is stirred, the ear will hear. In contrast, it is evident that Pharaoh‘s spirit was not stirred; and as a result he could not hear and he maintained a heart of stone. It is written in Proverbs 21:1-2, “The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Cyrus king of Persia had no choice but to move in line with what God has drawn up for his life. Cyrus, during the first year of his reign, “…made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:1-4) God, through Cyrus king of Persia, opened a door for the children of Israel to come out of captivity and rebuild the temple. Who can fathom the limits of the Almighty? Do you know who is going to activate your breakthrough or deliverance? God alone will move on your behalf, He has not changed, and he will forever remain the same. Cyrus king of Persia put in place more than needed for the children of Israel.

Prayer for today: Ask God to bring forth your Cyrus, the one that will deliver your great and effective opened door.