“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” (Isaiah 45:2-3)

Isaiah prophesied that in 150 years from the time he wrote a king would arise by the name of Cyrus. He would defeat Babylon and restore God’s people to Judah. 2500 years later we know the prophecy came to pass as written. The Lord made this promise to comfort and encourage His people to trust in Him not only in the midst of great tribulation and suffering but at all times.

In our self-centered, media-saturated culture people seek comfort in predicting what will happen in the future. Economists, celebrities, politicians, mediums, psychics and pundits all like to announce with certainty what will happen in the future. Such predictions give them and their followers a means of control and power. Many people will make plans based on such prognostications. Yet most of these predictions and plans will not come to pass and will be forgotten because they are made apart from the will of the Lord God.

What the Lord God has spoken through His prophets, His Word, and His Church and what He says will happen as He promises. Therefore, we who have faith in Christ can take comfort in this prophecy of Cyrus and the other prophecies and promises the Lord makes in His Word. Through that Word we can find assurance and comfort in the midst of our own uncertain and confusing times. Through that Word we find that by faith we have the hope of eternal life in God’s Kingdom. By that faith we have the wisdom and strength to preach the gospel all we meet that they too may believe in Jesus.