Our Works for God, Great and Small

Prayer-Soldier

Thus said the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut. I will go before you, and will humble the great ones of the earth: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and will burst the bars of iron. And I will give you hidden treasures, and the concealed riches of secret places: that you may know that I am the Lord who call you by your name, the God of Israel. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my elect, I have even called you by your name: I have made a likeness of you, and you have not known me. I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no God, besides me: I girded you, and you have not known me: (Isaiah 45:1-5)

Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing, Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father: Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election: For our gospel has not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-5)

Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to ensnare him in his speech. And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that you are a true speaker, and teach the way of God in truth, neither care you for any man: for you do not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore what do you think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a coin. And Jesus said to them: Whose image and inscription is this? They say to him: That of Caesar. Then he said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar; and to God, the things that belong to God. (Matthew 22:15-21)

There was a time that Cyrus, as a small infant, was marked for death. What was to come many years later would not have come had those who plotted to kill him were successful. As the story unfolds, this child of the Lord was anointed to fulfill the will of God, but to fulfill the prophesy, another would first be called to protect Cyrus so that at the appointed time Cyrus would fulfill the will of the Lord for the ultimate benefit of the people of God.

So many times we see how those who will rise to the benefit of the people were first protected by others, sometimes strangers, sometimes parents; but all with a calling. Cyrus, Moses, even the only begotten Son of God would not have fulfilled their hours in service of God and humanity if their lives were taken first as children. Blessed are those who care for the children of God, for in that caring, they enable the fulfillment of prophesy, they perform the work of the Lord.

The Lord knows our mission before we are created in the womb. He grants us gifts through which we may perform His will. Some will be presented with tasks which will be great before nations. Some will be presented with tasks which will only be known by the one who finds the path to the Lord through the example of the one set before them. What the Lord sets in motion through each of us is so that all will come to know the one and only God.

He calls us each by name, but He has also left it to our choice as to how we respond. We do not always know what comes from the works of our hands, but if our heart remains true, His works shall be done. Some are called to fulfill prophesy to reveal the glory of the Lord, but all are called to perform works in fulfillment of His Word. Blessed are those who learn their gifts and devote their use in service of the Lord and the children of His creation.

All benefit as the community comes together in the works of the Lord. Through works of faith and charity, the work of God is done. Blessed are those who fulfill the purpose for which God has formed them for they will care for those in need. Through shared works of selflessness, all shall prosper and the glory of the Lord will be found throughout the land.

In prayer, we should ask for the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of all the children of God for through the power of the Holy Spirit the grace of the Lord flows from hand to hand. As the light fills one, they become a beacon for others to follow. Blessed are those who come to the light and blessed are those who become the light, for through them the Word of the Lord is fulfilled and the joy of peace becomes the blessing of our day.

There is that which is of man and that which is of God. There are the ways of the world and the ways of heaven. What each person chooses determines the path of this life, but what each person chooses also determines the path beyond this world. Each may choose that which they feel convenient for the moment, but those who choose the path of God will find blessings beyond all tribulations.

Nations and governments are called to care for the people within, but not all the leaders who step before men and women are worthy of what they do. Some will twist words and offer deceptions, others will scheme for purposes of greed and power, while still others will fall to other matters of evil which only serve to render misery and strife to those within their wake.

In prayer, we must ask that those who are anointed to positions over others do not fall to the temptations of the evil one, but stand to care for the flock of the faithful. Blessed are we if we are of a nation which is guided by the Lord, for love and peace will be the fruit of our way. In prayer, we must ask that all of our leaders will seek this path so that the injustice which surrounds us will become a faded memory.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier