Sons in the Marketplace – Eat Like a Frog!
October 29th, 2007 | Michael Q. Pink
“Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him; and I will (1) loose the armor of kings,(2) to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; (Isaiah 45:1-2)
This verse speaks of Babylon, the strongest most fortified city in the known world at that time. There were 100 gates to the city and they were made of bronze. No point in hurling flaming arrows at that. No point in using a battering ram either. It was impenetrable. Everyone knew that, even Cyrus. But that didn’t deter him. (Note: I said the seeming impossibility of the task, DID NOT deter Cyrus).
Cyrus was familiar with this passage in Isaiah. He believed God’s promise… and he was a heathen! That reminds me of the Syrophoenician woman who asked Jesus to cast the devil out of her daughter and He did. Remember the Roman centurion? Jesus marveled at his faith.
Back to the story: Cyrus believes God and he acts. He diverted the river that acted as a moat surrounding the city so his troops could walk through shallow water to the gate. Then, some fool the night before, left the gate wide open after the city had been partying all night. (Envision Mardi Gras for Persians.) The city was conquered with barely a struggle. Some might call it miraculous. The world was amazed, but Cyrus wasn’t.
Here are the two things I want you to take away from this and apply. The first is how important it is to read the Scripture and see our place in it. “For God so loved the world…” can also be understood to include that “God so loved you”. All the promises of God, Paul says are “yes” and “amen”. We must stretch our heart, our soul, our mind towards the specific promise of God for our situation and pull that Word, that promise back into our inner most being until we become one with it. (Imagine a frog stretching his tongue out and latching on to an insect and pulling it back to himself and consuming it.) When we personalize and internalize the Word, we will act accordingly and the results will astonish the onlookers.
P.S. A friend sent me this link to a song, the lyrics and spirit of which moved me deeply. It’s called “He loves Us.” Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWnvBM40xxw
P.P.S. I will give you the second take away in my next email in this series… (0-:
October 29th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Oh my! This came at a time in my life that I need to continue to worship God and receive HIS Love poured into the broken part of my life. I’m getting ready to minister in music on a Women’s Emmaus Walk in Hampton, VA, Thursday through Sunday and this past Friday my husband ‘announced’ that he’s seen a lawyer and is pursuing a divorce. Many, many people are praying. This clip reminded me that music [instruments, singing, etc.] is just a sound without the Love of God. May the 30 women coming, the approximate 30 volunteers serving them and countless others behind the scenes feel the Love of God on this weekend.
October 29th, 2007 at 9:13 am
LOL! Love the illustration of the frog! That’ll stick with me!
October 29th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Isaiah 45:13.
Good stuff Michael. Verse 13 of Chapter 45 says : I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward says the Lord of hosts.
Although the Lord gave Cyrus a handsome reward for ransoming His people, this was not the reason Cyrus liberated them.
Earlier God had used Babylon to punish Israel for their sins and now he is punishing Babylon for destroying Israel. We have to remember ” my ways are not mans way”
October 29th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Tina,
I have a verse that helped me through my divorce. It is Jeremiah 32:41 and 42. I have memorized it.
“And I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul.” 42 For thus says the Lord, “Just as I brought all this great disaster on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them.”
I will be praying for you. May God grant you His peace and comfort while you go through the valley.
Just remember that sustaining grace for God’s chosen people is sovereign grace. That is, sustaining grace is omnipotent grace. It is grace that overcomes all obstacles and preserves the faith and holiness that brings us home to heaven.
Kern
October 29th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
This says it all! How can we NOT be a success with God holding our right hand and leading us as we do the work! Thank you.
P.S. I really liked the song on the link. HE DOES LOVE US!
October 29th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
How true, personalize and internalize the Word to walk on the power of God.
Jim
PS DON”T miss the video link of Jesus Culture — I had never heard of them but am a fan now!
October 29th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Just checked out the link - Wow! Thanks for sharing that, Michael! They’ve got other good music as well. Kim is very passionate in her worship and it’s very infectious!
October 29th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
That song absolutely blew me away. I was recently shown the video clip from its original DVD and was absolutely reduced to tears. I immediately had to run out and order it — it’s not currently available through music stores.
The rest of the disc is excellent as well. Some really moving music. That song is definitely the highlight, however.
You can get the CD/DVD combo here. You won’t regret it.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for that word Michael !
Eat like a frog wow. Brilliant. I willapply that to all my reading from now on…
God Bless
Tim
October 30th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Awesome teaching! It and that music video grabbed me! Wow! I am looking forward with great anticipation to internalizing the Word and letting it work mightily in me.
I liked your depiction of the frog stretching out his tongue to suck up insects. Incredible comparison to the way we are to go after the Word!
October 30th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Thank you for your different perspective and insights into the Word. I’ve asked my husband that for my birthday I want the “Raincatchers” series. Your emails are an edifying teaching as well as enjoyable. Keep the frogs coming and the links. God bless you.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Thank you all for your comments today!
Blessings, Michael
October 31st, 2007 at 6:34 am
This is one mystery that most people miss, Mike. All of our battles are often delayed matches, God would have decided against our adversaries. We are placed in the good hand of the Lord of which Nehemiah testifies, we are meant to go all the way. I have since resolved that in all my undertakings I will go all the way knowing very well that the hand of the Lord is with me. He told me that He will never leave me nor forsake me so I don’t have to worry or wonder.
The gates of Babylon will always fly open at me, it will be as if they are movement-sensored. I make my move, they make theirs. I always think to myself when I see these modern doors at my work place opening of their own accord when I approach the entrance and I say this is exactly what happens with God. It seems He only moves when we move. He seem to be faith-sensored.
Shame
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:31 am
The Jesus Culture video has been such a HUGE blessing this week. It reminds me how callused I can get to the blessings of the Father and the simplicity of His love, and forget what He has done for me on the cross. Similar to your previous writer, I too had to get the CD and DVD. I have been feasting on that all week, and telling everybody I know to go to youtube to view this awesome video, I urge you to view the other video of the young man who write the song and the story behind it. Thank you Michael for not being afraid to proclaim the truth in any type of media. I have been thoroughly blessed! Praise you Father for your mercy, grace and love!
Let’s Change the World!
Tony
November 17th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Cyrus did not know about the decription of him in Isaiah until after he conquered Babylon. It was Daniel that showed it to him in order to get him to agree to send some Jews back to Jeruselem to rebuild the temple.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I have so enjoyed this website. I stumbled upon it while searching out the word given to me by the Spirit “two-leaved gate”. I rejoice in this very powerful teaching. This promise to Cyrus, I receive for myself because I am seeking to possess new territory in the coming month. AND I SHALL GO THROUGH THE GATES AND POSSESS!!!