Yahweh's Revealed Strategy (5/14/12)

Shalom,

Please begin by reading Isa 45:1-7.

Isaiah speaks of Yahweh and his omnipotence, his unlimited strength and ability. Yahweh can even use things which oppose him to his advantage and for his purposes. He will achieve what he wants to, and he'll use whatever means he decides to. He is the all-powerful Creator of our whole universe, so who exactly is out there who can oppose him? In this situation Yahweh chose Cyrus, a pagan king, to accomplish his plan.

Israel, the northern kingdom, went into exile under the Assyrians in 722BC. Then the Assyrians were overcome by the Babylonians. The Babylonians eventually overran Judah, the southern kingdom, in 587BC. They took the leaders of Judah into captivity. From a Jewish standpoint this meant that Yahweh's purposes were impossible to complete anymore. If his chosen people are in exile, if there is no nation of Israel, Yahweh's purposes are defeated or at the very least very frustrated. If all the leaders are in prison, how can he fulfill his purposes? This is a very pragmatic view, but I believe people still operate in much the same manner. We all too quickly forget the part about omnipotence, Yahweh's ability to do what he pleases with anything or anyone.

We must never forget that Yahweh is never defeated. He's the Creator, the one who put everything in place. His Creation can't overcome him. He always has another way or another plan. In this case he used Cyrus. Cyrus wasn't a seeker. He's not known to be a man of prayer. He was a general and a ruler, period. But our God, Yahweh, has an ultimate plan that won't be overcome. When things seem impossible to us, he's not flustered in the least. He has a way of calling forth his people, maybe even using pagans, to accomplish his will. No matter what the opposition does, Yahweh will have his way.

Notice what Yahweh told Cyrus in verse 2. "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron." Yahweh will destroy any barriers made against his plans. He'll slice through anything that stands in the way of his purpose. If our Lord will do that for a pagan king, why can't we believe that he'll work the same way through us if we'll step out in faith and obey his leading?

There are other places in the Bible which encourage us about Yahweh's ability and willingness to make our path straight and clear. There are no enemies too strong, or barriers too big when we're obediently following our Lord. Nothing can stop Yahweh when he moves, except a people unwilling to trust and obey him. And even when that happens the hindrance will only be temporary, because he'll find someone else to do the task. We don't stump him or confuse him or cause him to go back to the drawing board. Our all-knowing God is always ready with an alternate plan. He has an infinite number of options already available to him because of his omniscience.

Yahweh provides for our needs and supplies our resources. He wants to bless us. He wants us to flourish where we are. Verse 3 says, "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am Yahweh, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." He makes his choices by name. He doesn't send out generic calls to action. He's very specific about who he's choosing and he lets us know He's called us.

Money is an issue in almost every church. In fact, it's a problematic issue in the majority of churches. Listen to what Yahweh can do if we trust him. An inner city church almost closed when the immigrants took over the neighborhood. The people who started it were unwilling to deal with these new and strange people. The immigrants knew they needed to do something drastic when the old members abandoned the church. To pay the mortgage they called for sacrifice. The people responded by bringing in family heirlooms, rings, even the silver plate from the utensils. They raised enough to keep the church solvent. Then they began to reach out into their community. They started four different ethnic services in the building. They touched their community and blessed it.

The next thing they decided to do was upgrade their worship capability. The old pipe organ was beyond repair, and again the people sacrificed to buy new equipment. The money came in more slowly this time. As they worked to remove the old organ the workmen found something very curious. They found an unopened six-pack of beer hidden under the platform. And guess what? They didn't throw it out but offered it on "Antiques Road Show," and because it was a collector's item, they sold it for thousands of dollars.

See how Yahweh gives treasures and riches "stored in secret places." He has resources in places we would never think to look. If he can provide for a church with a 150 year old six-pack of beer hidden under the organ, we should never doubt his capacity to bless us. These immigrants worked hard to honor their Lord and didn't miss the opportunity offered to them, even though it was brought to them in a very strange package. Somewhere and somehow he will provide for us, if we're doing his will.

The most impressive thing Yahweh gives us is an identity. He gives us his presence, identifying himself with us. He calls us by name. If and when we acknowledge him in return, he gives us strength. Listen to verse 5. "I am Yahweh, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me." This was spoken directly to Cyrus. We can trust that Yahweh will move when we're obedient. We can also trust that Yahweh will accomplish his purpose even if we don't. He'll just use somebody or something else. This is never a reason to skip out on an assignment. If we shirk our duties we'll definitely be disciplined. The good news of this is that Yahweh will see his purposes completed because the ultimate outcome is already determined.

Yahweh has a plan for every church, fellowship, and body of believers. He has every Christian slated for ministry, new possibilities and new responsibilities. Everyone who's truly Christian is gifted to do the work of our Lord. He has tasks for all of us to accomplish. If he can use a pagan king, how much more can he do with an obedient Christian? Each individual in every church and fellowship is called to do service for the Kingdom of our Lord. There are no lesser citizens in the Kingdom. Each and every one of us is set apart to be a vessel in the hands of our Lord and Master.

Think of it. Nothing and no one can stop Yahweh from doing his will. We may hinder the work or slow it down by our disobedience, but our Lord will always have his way. Our great God and Savior can't be stopped. If the Christians won't answer his call, like Israel, he'll find some pagans to get the work done. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that wonderful and awesome? Isn't that humbling? He doesn't need us, but he chooses to use us. He wants us to know the blessing of operating as vessels of honor.

We can't spoil Yahweh's plans for our community. No church or fellowship can do anything more than delay the outcome Yahweh has in mind. We all too often do slow down the timing, but we can't stop what our Lord has planned to do. He's got all the time in the world. We don't. We can be part of what he's doing and help speed up the fulfillment of his will. We can be instruments in his hands to bless people. But we must choose to obey.

I don't want someone else to have to do what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't want Yahweh to have to call on the pagans to do his will because I didn't. We must trust our Lord and listen to his Spirit. Yahweh is revealing things right now. He's opening our understanding of his Word, and sharing prophetic insights with us. We can listen and obey and be greatly blessed. Or we can deny his call and leave it to another generation of believers. Or worst of all , he will use pagans to do the work.

The Holy Spirit will lead us into truth as we seek him and keep our hearts soft and pliable in his hands. Be an instrument that he can use, not a piece of refuse to be set aside. Our Lord says he's coming for a "spotless bride." If we do our part to remain holy by staying in fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we'll be used to build the Kingdom. We're not weaker than the devil and his evil horde. We're mighty in our Lord for the accomplishing of his will. Keep Phil 4:13 in mind. "I can do everything through Jesus who gives me strength."

Blessings & Peace, Mike