Ezra II
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, (Ezra 1:1 ESV)
The Whole World
I used to sing in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, “He’s got the whole world, in His hands!” but I I do not think I really understood what I was singing.
Cyrus probably was not a believer in God. But he was stirred up by God.
Cyrus probably did not pray to God, submit to God, or follow God. But God moved him as God willed.
Cyrus probably could not understand God’s actions, revelations, or Law. But he was under the authority of God, whether he knew it or not.
We might mistakenly think that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, and the rest of the week is our own, or the world’s, or no one’s.
But every day is the Lord’s. Every atom is the Lord’s. Every part of creation is the Lord’s. Every king is the Lord’s. Every servant is the Lord’s.
The whole world is His.