God Frees and Redeems
Liberating Passover
Babylonian Captivity Ends
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Isaiah 45:1-10 The MessageThe God Who Forms Light and Darkness45 1-7 God’s Message to his anointed,
to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand
To give the task of taming the nations,
of terrifying their kings—
He gave him free rein,
no restrictions:
“I’ll go ahead of you,
clearing and paving the road.
I’ll break down bronze city gates,
smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.
I’ll lead you to buried treasures,
secret caches of valuables—
Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God,
the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
It’s because of my dear servant Jacob,
Israel my chosen,
That I’ve singled you out, called you by name,
and given you this privileged work.
And you don’t even know me!
I am God, the only God there is.
Besides me, there are no real gods.
I’m the one who armed you for this work,
though you don’t even know me,
So that everyone, from east to west, will know
that I have no god-rivals.
I am God, the only God there is.
I form light and create darkness,
I make harmonies and create discords.
I, God, do all these things. 8-10 “Open up, heavens, and rain.
Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!
Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation;
sprout right living.
I, God, generate all this.
But doom to you who fight your Maker—
you’re a pot at odds with the potter!
Does clay talk back to the potter:
‘What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!’
Would a sperm say to a father,
‘Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?’
Or a fetus to a mother,
‘Why have you cooped me up in this belly?’” For ReflectionGod is sovereign. God has created the universe and made humans in God's image. God has called human beings to bring the world into a relationship with God so that we might live in peace and joy. God has armed us for this work. God has promised to pave the way for human success in this mission.
And yet, some refuse to know God. Those of us who understand and accept the truth that is God are tasked with the job of partnering with God to reconcile the world to the God of love, justice, and peace. PrayPray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray and live your convictions that God is real. God intends for all people to experience the joy and peace of participating in God's love and grace and to live in the light of his countenance.
Forward to a friend | 
