How Big Is God?

How big is God? Just ask Cyrus—God used a pagan king to fulfill His promises and prove He’s bigger than any problem we face.

“The LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whom I have taken by the right hand … ‘I have given you a title of honor though you have not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is no one else.’”—Isaiah 45:1–5 NASB

When Nebuchadnezzar died, his Babylonian Empire seemed completely secure. Yet in 539 BC, just 23 years later, the Persians, under the leadership of Cyrus, conquered his empire.

This was a monumental moment in human history. But the Bible tells us God was behind this mighty victory. Even though Cyrus did not know God, the Lord had called him to accomplish His purposes. God was demonstrating His control of world events. He stated, “It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens” (v. 12). He was acting “that people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me” (v. 6).

One of Cyrus’ first acts after conquering Babylon was to authorize the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Why? “To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” (Ezra 1:1).

God was demonstrating that He was bigger than any force on earth—bigger than Babylon or Nebuchadnezzar, Persia or Cyrus, bigger than any gods, army, problem, or obstacle.

Our problems can seem so huge! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or hopeless. At times like these, we need to remember how God turned the world upside down through Cyrus.

Don’t limit God. Commit your circumstances to Him. Nothing is impossible with Him!

Reflection Question: What circumstances in your life need a fresh reminder of God’s power?