PLACE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD!

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Wesley Hubbard
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1 PLACEYOURCONFIDENCEINTHELORD! 45ThisiswhatJehovahsaystohisanointedone,toCyrus,theonewhoserighthandI holdinordertosubduenationsbeforehim indeed,iwillstripkingsoftheirarmor andopendoorsbeforehim indeed,thegatesshallnotbeshut: 2 Iwillgobeforeyou andwilllevelthemountains;iwillbreakdowngatesofbronzeandcutthroughbarsof iron. 3 Iwillgiveyouthetreasureshiddenindarknessandrichesstoredinsecretplaces, sothatyoumayknowthatitisi,jehovah,thegodofisrael,whohassummonedyouby name. 4 FormyservantJacob ssakeand[forthesakeof]israelmychosenone,ihave summonedyoubyname;ihavebestoweduponyouatitleofhonor,eventhoughyou donotknowme. 5 IamJehovah,andthereisnoneother;thereisno[other]Godbesidesme.Iwill strengthenyou,eventhoughyouhavenotknownme; 6 sothatfromtheplacewhere thesunrisestotheplacewhereitsetsmenmayknowthatthereis[nogod]besides me.iamjehovah,andthereisnoneother. 7 IformthelightandIcreatedarkness;I makepeaceandicreatecalamity.iamjehovah,[theone]whodoesallthesethings. 8 You heavens above, rain down [righteousness], and let the clouds pour down righteousness. Let the earth open wide, so that salvation may spring up, and let righteousnessgrowwithit.i,jehovah,havecreatedit. 9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker! he who is [nothing more than] a potsherd among the potsherds scattered on the ground! Will the clay say to [the potter], What are you making? or will the thing you are making say, He has no hands? 10 Woetohimwhosaystohisfather, Whathaveyoubegotten? orwhosays tohismother, Towhathaveyougivenbirth? 11 This is what Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel and his Maker, says: Ask me about thingsthatareyettohappen,thingsconcerningmysons,andconcerningtheworkof myhands;commandmetotellyou. 12 Ihavemadetheearthandcreatedman[tolive] upon it. I stretched out the heavens with my [own] hands; and I have appointed all theirstarryhosts. 13 BymyrighteousnessIhaveraisedup[Cyrus],andIwillmakeall hiswayssmooth.hewillbuildmycityandheshallreleasemyexiles,forneitherfeenor reward,declaresjehovahofhosts. 14 ThisiswhatJehovahsays,TheproductsofEgyptandthemerchandiseofEthiopia willbegiventoyou,andthetallsabeanswillcomeovertoyouandwillbeyours they willtrudgebehindyou,comingovertoyouinchains.theywillbowdownbeforeyou and plead with you for mercy, confessing, Surely God is with you, and there is none other;thereisnoothergod. 15 Truly,youareaGodwhohideshimself,OGodofIsrael, oursavior. 16 Theywillbeputtoshame,allofthemwillbehumiliated;allthosewho arethemakersofidolswilldeparttogetherindisgrace. 17 [But]Israelwillbesavedby Jehovahwithaneverlastingsalvation youwillneverbeputtoshamenorhumiliated foralleternity! 18 ThisiswhatJehovahdeclares,theonewhocreatedtheheavens,the Godwhoformedtheearthandmadeit,theonewhoestablisheditanddidnotcreateit tobeempty,butformedittobeinhabited,iamjehovah,andthereisnoneother. 19 I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness. I have not said to Jacob sdescendants,seekmeinvain.i,jehovah,speakthetruth;ideclarethingsthat areright.(isa.45:1 19)

2 Introduction Perhaps you are among those who have struggled to comprehend a particular heartache or trial, and God s reason for allowing it. A thousand unanswered questionshavebeenrecyclingthroughyourmind,mostofthembeginningwiththe word, Why? Deep inside, you are being held captive by a sense of betrayal and abandonment.thelordobviouslypermittedyourdifficultiestooccur.whydidhe notpreventthemfromhappening?andwhyhashenotexplainedthemtoyou? For some, your sorrow may be traced directly to the death of a loved one. For someoneelse,therewillneverbeanythingaspainfulastherejectionyouweredealt byanex husbandorwife.forothers,itmayrequirehavingtogothroughlifethus far without a mate, feeling an acute sense of loneliness. Yet for others, the trial or heartachemaybealtogetherdifferent. Butineachcasethereisonesimilarity:Whenwecannotcomprehendthewaysof God,wehavethetendencytobecomeunjustlyfearful,angryandcritical.Suchwas thecasewiththechildrenofisrael.theywouldfindthemselvesheldcaptivebythe mightybabylonianempire,thentheircaptorsthemselveswouldbeconqueredbya fiercekingnamedcyrus andtheywondered, Whatwillbecomeofusnow?What isgoddoing? ThemessageoftheLORDtoHispeoplecontainedinthispresentpassageofScripture is this: Place your confidence in the LORD, because the LORD our God is both righteousandall powerful. I.PlaceYourConfidenceintheLORD!EvenWhenYouDon tunderstand(isa. 45:9 13) Verses 9 10 contain a word of caution, a word of warning, to those who would criticizegodandforgetwithwhomtheyaredealing: Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker! he who is[nothing more than] a potsherdamongthepotsherdsscatteredontheground!willtheclaysaytothe potter, Whatareyoumaking? orwillthethingyouaremakingsay, Hehas nohands? 10 Woetohimwhosaystohisfather, Whathaveyoubegotten? or whosaystohismother, Towhathaveyougivenbirth? (Isa.45:9 10) Givenaglimpseintothatdistantfuture,Isaiahismadetoseethatthechildrenof Israelwouldbecomefearfulandconfused,theywouldnotunderstandwhatGod wasdoingandtheywouldnotlikewhatwashappeningtothem.intheirhearts andwiththeirvoicestheywouldtheirobjectionsandtheircriticisms. In verse 11 the LORD introduces Himself as the Holy One of Israel and Israel s Maker. Thatistosay,HeistheOnewhoisrighteousinallHiswaysandwhohas sovereign rights over His creation and His people. Having made that clear, the

3 LORD goes on to invite His people to inquire about the things that are yet to happen let them ask concerning their present trials and the ultimate purpose God has for them. The Bible assures us that we may draw near to God, pouring outourheartsuntohim,notepsalm62:8, Trustinhimatalltimes,youpeople; pouroutyourheartbeforehim.godisarefugeforus. Wemaythequestionsthat plagueourminds.moseswasboldtolaybeforethelordtheburdenofhisheart, questioning why the LORD had not as yet fulfilled His promise to deliver His peoplefromegyptbythehandofhisservant,moses, Moses returned to Jehovah and said, O Lord, why have you brought trouble uponthispeople?isthiswhyyousentme? 23 EversinceIwenttoPharaohto speakinyourname,hehasbroughttroubleuponthispeople,andyouhavenot rescuedyourpeopleatall. (Ex.5:22 23) ButwemustneverlosesightofthefactthatHeisGod,andwearebutmen consider the lessons God taught Job with regard to this matter. The LORD confrontedjobwithhisignoranceandhumanfrailty, ThenJehovahansweredJoboutofthestorm.Hesaid: 2 Whoisthisthatdarkens mycounselwithwordswithoutknowledge? 3 Braceyourselflikeaman;Iwill question you, and you shall answer me. 4 Where were you when I laid the earth sfoundation?tellme,ifyouunderstand.(job38:1 4) The LORD asserts that Job was seeking to unjustly condemn the acts of God and justifyhimself, ThenJehovahspoketoJoboutofthestorm: 7 Braceyourselflikeaman;Iwill questionyou,andyoushallanswerme. 8 Wouldyoudiscreditmyjustice?Would youcondemnmetojustifyyourself? (Job40:6 8) Let us note carefully Job s response when he is given a direct and personal audiencewiththelord: ThenJobrepliedtoJehovah, 2 Iknowthatyoucandoallthings;noplanofyours can be thwarted. 3 Who is this that obscures deliberation with his lack of knowledge?surelyispokeofthingsididnotunderstand,mattersthataretoo wonderfulformetoknow. 4 ListennowandIwillspeak;Iwillinquireandmay you instruct me. 5 My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Consequently,Iabhormywordsandrecantindustandashes.(Job42:1 6) Inverse13theLORDassuresIsraelthatthisnewconqueror,Cyrus,isunderHis sovereigncontrolandheshallusehimtoaccomplishhisgoodpurposes.notethe confidenttestimonyoftheapostlepaul: AndweknowthatinallthingsGodworks for the good of those who love him, those who have been called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28.)

4 LetusplaceourconfidenceintheLORD,especiallyatthosetimeswhenwedon t understand what is happening in our lives and what God is doing. Consider the counsel offered in Ecclesiastes 5:2, Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hastyinyourhearttoutteranythingbeforegod.godisinheavenandyouareon theearth,soletyourwordsbefew. ConsidertheinstructionofferedinProverbs 9:10a, The fear of Jehovah is the beginning [and the chief part] of wisdom. ConsiderthewarninggiveninJob9:4, [Jehovah s]wisdomisprofound,hispower is vast; who can defy him and succeed? Consider the promise given in 1 Peter 5:5b 7, Godopposestheproud,butgivesgracetothehumble. 6 Therefore,humble yourselvesunderthemightyhandofgod,(sothathemayexaltyouattheappointed time), 7 bycastingallyourcaresuponhim,becausehecaresforyou. II.PlaceYourConfidenceintheLORD!BecauseHewillAmazeYou(Isa.45:14 17) WhenIsaiahispermittedalookintothefutureandisgivenaglimpseofthefinal outcomeofthings(vs.14),heexclaims, Truly,youareaGodwhohideshimself,O God of Israel, our Savior (vs. 15.) That is to say, the LORD is a God who is mysterious,wonderful,andawesome. WhatdidIsaiahseethatcausedhimtomakesuchanexclamation?Heismadeto see that the LORD s people shall inherit the wealth of the world: This is what Jehovahsays, TheproductsofEgyptandthemerchandiseofEthiopiawillbegiven to you. (vs. 14a.) It is revealed to him that the LORD s people shall share in the LORD sdominion: thetallsabeanswillcomeovertoyouandwillbeyours they willtrudgebehindyou,comingovertoyouinchains (vs.14b.)thisisinkeeping with the divine promise expressed by our Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 3:21, Tohimwhoovercomes,Iwillgivetherighttositwithmeonmythrone,justasI overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Furthermore, Isaiah is madetoseethatthelord speopleshallwitnessthenationsacknowledgingthat the LORD is God: They will bow down before you and plead with you for mercy, confessing, SurelyGodiswithyou,andthereisnoneother;thereisno[other]God (vs.14c.)note:inthispassagethereisrevealedtoisaiahthesituationthatwill prevailinthefinalandeternalstatewhenjesusthemessiahreturnsingloryand the kingdom of God is manifested in all of its fullness. Isaiah is describing this future state using terms that were relevant to Old Testament Israel and illustrativeofthatfinalstate. Verse15containsanexpressionofamazement,adoringthemysteriousmarvelof God and His ways: Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, our Savior. ThesituationdescribedinIsaiah42:22shallfinallybetransformedinto thatforetoldinisaiah45:14 this is a people who have been robbed and plundered all of them are trappedincavesorhiddenawayinprisons.theyhavebecomeaprey,andthere

5 is none to rescue them. They have become a spoil, and there is no one to demand,givethemback!(isa.42:22) This is what Jehovah says, The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia will be given to you, and the tall Sabeans will come over to you and willbeyours theywilltrudgebehindyou,comingovertoyouinchains.they willbowdownbeforeyouandpleadwithyouformercy,confessing, SurelyGod iswithyou,andthereisnoneother;thereisno[other]god. (Isa.45:14) Surely,thewaysandtheworksoftheLORDourGodareincomprehensible this isthemeaningoftheexpressionusedhere,heis agodwhohideshimself. Inverses16 17thefinalstateofthings,astheywillexistwhentheLORDreveals Himself at the consummation of His work, is now presented. The idolatrous peoples of the world shall be put to shame; their gods shall prove unable to deliverthem(vs.16.)butthepeopleofgodshallnotbeputtoshame;thelord willsaveuswithaneverlastingsalvation asalvationthatwillhavenoend(vs. 17.) LetusplaceourconfidenceintheLORD,becauseHewilltrulyamazeus.Consider thetestimonyoftheapostlepaulpresentedin1corinthians2:9,...inaccordancewithwhathasbeenwritten, Thingsthattheeyehasnotseen and the ear has not heard and that have not entered into the heart of man, thesearethethingsgodhaspreparedforthosewholovehim.(1cor.2:9) III.PlaceYourConfidenceintheLORD!BecauseHeisTrustworthy(Isa.45:18 19) The LORD declares, I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness. I have not said to Jacob s descendants, Seek me in vain (vs. 19a.) A betterrenderingofverse19awouldbe, Ididnotsay,Seekmeinadesert (whto.) Thatistosay,theLORDwillnotleadusintoadesertorwildernesstodie.Onthe contrary,thelord sdesireistoleadusintoalandflowingwithmilkandhoney, althoughtheroadmaypassthroughawilderness.thewordsofthehymnwriter, KatharinavonSchlegel,areappropriate: Bestill,mysoul:theLORDisonyourside; Bearpatientlythecrossofgrieforpain; LeavetoyourGodtoorderandprovide; Ineverychangehefaithfulwillremain. Bestill,mysoul:yourbest,yourheavenlyFriend, Throughthornywaysleadstoajoyfulend.

6 The LORD goes on to proclaim, I, Jehovah, speak the truth; I declare things that are right (vs. 19b.) The LORD is the God of integrity; He is faithful to fulfill His Word. Note Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promiseandnotfulfill? Let us place our confidence in the LORD, because He is wholly trustworthy. Consider the personal testimony of the Apostle Paul as recorded in 2 Timothy 1:12, I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard whatihaveentrustedtohimforthatday. Paul stestimonyisthat,followinghis initial act of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he has come to know Christ, and by experience has come to realize that Christ Jesus is completely reliable and worthyofourfullconfidence.onceagain,wemaynotethewordsofyetanother hymnwriter,francesr.havergal,whenshesingsinpraiseofthelord: Everyjoyortrialfallsfromabove, TraceduponourdialbytheSunofLove. WemaytrustHimfullyallforustodo; TheywhotrustHimwhollyfindHimwhollytrue. IV.PlaceYourConfidenceintheLORD!BecauseHehasaGoodPurposeforYou (Isa.45:1 8) Inverse1ofIsaiah45theLORDaddressesHisservant,Cyrus,thePersianking. He pledges to him His own all powerful support and pledges to make him a victoriousconqueror. Inverses2 3,speakingdirectlytoCyrus,theLORDdeclares, Iwillgobeforeyou andwilllevelthemountains thelordwillremoveallobstaclesthatstandin the way of the Persian s conquests. I will give you the treasures hidden in darkness the LORD will grant Cyrus to take for himself the closely guarded treasuresofthenations. TheLORDwilldothesethingssothatCyrusmayknowthatitistheLORD,the God of Israel, who has called him. The point being made is that the nature of Cyrus conquestsandthegreatspoilhewilltakewillimpressuponhimthatall this was due not to his own might, but is rather the work of God, the God of Israel.AccordingtoHebrewtradition,thesepropheciesofIsaiahwereshownto Cyrus,makingadeepimpressionuponhim.NoteEzra1:1 3, InthefirstyearofCyruskingofPersia,inordertofulfillthewordofJehovah spokenbyjeremiah,jehovahmovedtheheartofcyruskingofpersiatomakea proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: 2 This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: Jehovah, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdomsoftheearthandhehasappointedmetobuildatempleforhimat JerusaleminJudah. 3 Anyoneofhispeopleamongyou mayhisgodbewith

7 him,andlethimgouptojerusaleminjudahandbuildthetempleofjehovah, thegodofisrael,thegodwhoisinjerusalem.(ezra1:1 3) TheLORDnowannouncestoCyrusthatHe,theLORD,hasraisedhimupforthe sake of His people, Israel! For my servant Jacob s sake and [for the sake of] Israelmychosenone,Ihavesummonedyoubyname;Ihavebestoweduponyoua titleofhonor,eventhoughyoudonotknowme (vs.4.)althoughcyruswasnot consciouslyactingasthelord sservantatthetimeofhisconquests,thelord had in fact called him to be His servant in order to accomplish His divine purposeofbringingaboutthereleaseofhispeopleisraelfromtheirbabylonian captivity. AfurtherreasongivenfortheLORD sappointmentofcyrusisthatalltheearth mayknowthatthereisnoothergodbesidethelord(vs.6a.)theexodusoutof EgypthadproventobeaprofoundrevelationoftheLORDtothenations,note Rahab stestimonytothehebrewspieswhomsheharboredinhouseatthetime ofisrael sconquestofjericho, WehaveheardhowJehovahdriedupthewateroftheRedSeaforyouwhen youcameoutofegypt,andwhatyoudidtosihonandog,thetwokingsofthe AmoriteseastoftheJordan,whomyoucompletelydestroyed. 11 Whenweheard of it, our hearts melted and everyone s courage failed because of you, for JehovahyourGodisGodinheavenaboveandontheearthbelow.(Josh.2:10 11) In like manner, the conquest of Babylon by the LORD s servant, Cyrus, would serve to have the same effect note, again, Cyrus own testimony recorded in Ezra1:1 3,printedabove. ItwasthroughtheworkofCyrusthatthepeopleofIsraelwererestoredtothe PromisedLandofCanaan.FromthatrestoredremnantofHispeopletheLORD would raise up the promised Messiah. Following His resurrection and ascension, the gospel would go forth into all the world, calling men out of spiritual darkness into the knowledge of the living God, in anticipation of the lastgreatdaywhenhewillrevealhimselfinpowerandgreatglory. AtthispointitappearsthatIsaiahhimselfraiseshisvoice(vs.8.)Hepoetically callsupontheheavenstoraindownrighteousness,andtheearthtoopenitself upwideinordertoreceivetherighteousnessofheavenasrefreshingspiritual rain and so produce the fruit of salvation which fruit is righteousness in the lives of God s children, a righteousness that shall permeate all of His creation. Isaiah here is looking beyond the work of Cyrus who would bring about the restoration of Israel to the Promised Land of Canaan. Isaiah is looking to the final consummation, anticipating the promise spoken of by the Apostle Peter, accordingtohispromise,wearewatchingforanewheavensandanewearthin whichrighteousnessresides (2Pet.3:13.)

8 IsaiahnowreceivestheassurancefromtheLORDHimselfthatHeshall,indeed, fulfill His promise: I, Jehovah, have created it. The LORD speaks of this new creationinthepasttenseasanalreadyaccomplishedfact;hedoessoinorder toemphasizethecertaintythatheshallsurelyfulfillhiswordinhisappointed time. LetusplaceourconfidenceintheLORD,becauseHehasagoodpurposeforusas HischildreninChrist.ConsiderthetestimonyoftheApostlePaulasrecordedin Romans 8:18, I consider that our present sufferings are not worthy to be comparedwiththeglorythatwillberevealedinus. Conclusion When we cannot comprehend the ways of God, we have the tendency to become unjustly fearful, angry and critical. Such would be the case with the children of Israel: they would find themselves held captive by the mighty Babylonian empire, thentheircaptorsthemselveswouldbeconqueredbyafiercekingnamedcyrus andtheywouldwonder, Whatwillbecomeofusnow?WhatisGoddoing? ThemessageoftheLORDtoHispeoplecontainedinthispresentpassageofScripture is this: Place your confidence in the LORD, because the LORD our God is both righteousandall powerful.

MORE SEED & BREAD, ISSUE NO. 310

MORE SEED & BREAD, ISSUE NO. 310 CYRUS, AN ANNOITED ONE By M.B. Hammond Jr. We read in Biblical history about a great emperor who was charged by God to return Jews to Jerusalem in Judah, to rebuild the