For your sake!

For your sake!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Isaiah 45:4
For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

How great is the Lord's love for His people, for His chosen ones! This verse talks about how the Lord for the sake of His people called, named and anointed someone who didn't even know or acknowledge Him to help His people.

Israel was in captivity for seventy years in Babylon. But the Lord, because of His covenant and His great love refused to forsake His people and demonstrated His love for them. He called, named and anointed King Cyrus, one who did not know the Lord, to shepherd the people of God. It was under the rule of King Cyrus that Jews were first allowed to return to Israel after 70 years of captivity. King Cyrus actively assisted the Jews in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and restored the temple treasures to Jerusalem and allowed building expenses to be paid from the royal treasury. 2 Chronicles 36:22–23: “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, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.”

Think about this, God used someone who didn't even know Him to bless His people. For the sake of His people, because of His great compassion towards His people, He did this. How much more will he do for you in the New Covenant. Know and believe His love - for He gave His Son for you. Romans 8:32 says, 'He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?.' For your sake!

“Lord, I know and believe you love me greatly. Just like you called, named and anointed Cyrus for Israel, you have anointed people for my sake and they are working for my Shalom - all round prosperity. Thank you Father. Jesus is Lord.”