DO IT AGAIN LORD…

DRAIN THE SWAMP AGAIN—VICTORY IS HERE

We have victory in Jesus Christ. God calls us to “possess the gates” or double-doors of a city or nation. Did you know that the Persians diverted the flow of the Euphrates into a swamp, lowering the water level in ancient times? The Bible is up-to-date and relevant to our time. 

Look at the notes from American Journal of Biblical Theology 2009: 

The two leaved gates refer to the bronze gates of Babylon.  The defeat of Babylon by Cyrus is recorded in Daniel, chapter 5.  Cyrus lead the Meads and Persians against the city in 539 B.C. only to find its king Belshazzar distracted by a feast.  The Persians diverted the flow of the Euphrates into a swamp, lowering the water level enough to march their army under the river gates to the city gates, only to find them open. (American Journal of Biblical Theology 2009) 

The gates of the city were signified as “double-doors” where public trade, and administration of justice took place. The gates were especially subject to attack (Ezekiel 21:15, 22).  God calls us to “possess the gates” (Genesis 22:17, 24:60). 

God spoke to Isaiah and, by declaring their sins forgiven, revealed that He is faithful to His covenant even when His people have forgotten it (see Isaiah 44:21-22). (Pray for America to turn back to God in genuine repentance.)

God spoke to Isaiah and revealed His sovereignty in a spectacular and amazing way by not only having Isaiah prophesy the return of His people from exile, but by naming Cyrus as the king he would use (see Isaiah 44:24-28). 

And look at this—God spoke to Cyrus (through Isaiah) more than 100 years before Cyrus was born, which reveals His sovereign control over all things and all people, and how He can use unbelievers to accomplish His plan (See Isaiah 45:2-7). God can use anyone who is available. 

God spoke to Isaiah and revealed His absolute sovereignty over all things, and how there is a fundamental difference between the Creator and what He has created (see Isaiah 45:8-13).

God spoke to Isaiah and, by showing the repentance of foreign nations, revealed that salvation is for the Gentiles as well as Israel, and that all salvation is through the one true God (see Isaiah 45:14). God doesn’t want anyone to perish. 

“Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by name, am the God of Israel” —Isaiah 45:1-3

Take time to pray Isaiah 45 aloud today. God is at work behind the scenes. The Holy Spirit is revealing all hidden truth and showing us things to come (John 16:13). Pray from the place of victory—we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and seated in heavenly places with Him. Sing with joy!

Worship and sing!

Deborah Starczewski