Crisis ConvertedSample

Theme: God sends a shepherd.

Crisis Converted Then:

For the first time in Isaiah 40-55, the Persian King Cyrus II is mentioned by name. This is a significant historical shift. The Israelites have been taken into captivity by the Babylonians, but the prophet predicts that God will use Cyrus II of Persia to save and deliver the Israelites. The motif of a shepherd king as used to describe Cyrus II is common throughout the Old Testament. Much like David, the shepherd, is God’s chosen lineage of kings for Israel, God is now choosing to use Cyrus II as shepherd over Israel.

Crisis Converted Now:

This text reminds us that God never has exclusive allegiance to a single nation. Again and again, the prophet has pointed out that all nations rise and fall before the eternal God. Throughout history, God uses a variety of nations, both faithful and unfaithful, to accomplish his will. Our allegiance to any nation should never exceed our allegiance to God, nor should we think that God is incapable of using nations we see as unfaithful to accomplish his will. Consider a world map today and ponder which nations God might be using for his glory and kingdom mission.