In Isaiah, chapter forty-five, verses fourteen through seventeen, “Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God. Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.” A day will come when all nations will acknowledge that the God of Israel is the only God and Israel will never again be put to shame.
Believers may ask in prayer for what they need; if for their good, it will not be withheld. But how common to hear God called to account for his dealings with man! Cyrus provided for the return of God’s people. Those redeemed by Christ shall be provided for. The restoration would convince many, and convert some; and all that truly join the Lord, find His service perfect freedom.
Though God be His people’s God and Saviour, yet sometimes He lays them under His frowns; but let them wait upon the Lord who hides his face. There is a world without end, and it will be well or ill with us, according as it shall be with us in that world. The Lord we serve and trust is God alone. All that God has said is plain, satisfactory, and just. As God in his word calls us to seek him, so he never denied believing prayers, nor disappointed believing expectations. He gives grace sufficient, and comfort and satisfaction of soul.