Almighty Sovereign, Abundant Redeemer

“This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:

“I am the Lord,
    the Maker of all things,
    who stretches out the heavens,
    who spreads out the earth by myself,
who foils the signs of false prophets
    and makes fools of diviners,
who overthrows the learning of the wise
    and turns it into nonsense,
who carries out the words of his servants
    and fulfills the predictions of his messengers…
who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry,
    and I will dry up your streams,’
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd
    and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”
    and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’

“This is what the Lord says to his anointed,
    to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of..:
I will go before you
    and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord…
I summon you by name
    and bestow on you a title of honor,
    though you do not acknowledge me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
    I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
    I bring prosperity and create disaster;
    I, the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 44:24-45:7

God’s messages to His people through Isaiah would have inspired immediate comfort, amazed wonder, and hope. To be reminded in exile of His personal love for them as well as foretold of their future return, rebuilding, and renewal would instill a deep sense that indeed, He was LORD. They could trust these promises and count on His able equipping and sovereign redemption of His people through His instrument Cyrus. He who created the world and ruled its rulers and superintended time and distances and spoke through His prophet would go to every extent to fulfill His word. (Ezra 1:1-4)

The Almighty continues His sovereign ways in the nations and care of His children today. He scatters and gathers His people. He opens and closes doors. He raises leaders and brings low. He oversees ruin and rebuilding. We make our plans but He determines our steps. His rule is benevolent and His plans are redemptive. (1 Samuel 2:6-8; Jeremiah 31:10; Psalm 75:7; Proverbs 16:9; Amos 9:14; Revelation 3:7)

What do we think of this One who formed us in the womb? When nations war and politics divide, when health fails and prodigals remain estranged, when stress and fear are high and desire and hope are low, will we turn to Jesus? Will we entrust our exile and doubts and waywardness and conflicts and impossibilities to the great Redeemer?

How far have I strayed that He cannot bring me home? What brokenness of spirit or relationship am I suffering that He cannot rebuild? What confusion or detours can I not trust Him to make count for good? He can do anything and use anyone to bring about His purposes!

Lord, teach me to trust You to redeem all things for my good and Your glory.