July 11, 2023: The Lord Stirred

"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:" (Ezra 1:1, ESV)

This scripture announces God's active involvement in history and our lives. God is not a spectator. He is not passive. Everything God does is with purpose. They are not by chance.  

The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. Cyrus was the King of Persia. What does it mean to be stirred in the spirit? It means to be awakened, aroused and incited. God stirred the spirit of Cyrus to think of, desire, and act. God did this! It was God's response to a prophetic word He had given Jeremiah years ago. It was time to keep His promise to His people, so He incited Cyrus to decree that Israel would return to her home and rebuild the temple.
    
Not only did He stir up Cyrus, but he also stirred Judah and Benjamine. He stirred both Priests and Levites to think about returning to the land. To desire the land and to go and rebuild the temple.
    
God still stirs people to action today. Maybe you have been stirred by God to sow an offering, do an act of kindness, or love well. Maybe God is stirring your heart now. A random thought suddenly becomes a desire that prompts you to act. Next thing you know, you are making history!