Contemplative Bible Reading

Isaiah 45:7 (New Living Translation)

7 I create the light and make the darkness.
I send good times and bad times.
I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.

God is speaking to Cyrus the Great of Persia through the prophet Isaiah. God is reminding Cyrus of a few things before God uses Cyrus to accomplish a few tasks in ancient times.

In practical and higher matters, Cyrus needs to understand that the God of Israel, Jehovah or YHWH, is God. God brings light and dark, i.e., day and night. That is something simple that everyone can see and feel. God also brings good times and bad times, i.e., value to some people which is also horror to some other people. That is quite a high concept in human affairs.

Bump your funny bone? Eventually, that comes from God. Anxious about retirement 20 years down the road? Eventually, that comes from God. We live in God’s creation. Everything that has ever happened everywhere in our world has led to this moment. And now, what am I going to do?

Fear God, keep his commands, walk humbly with God. Love one another. Love God. I could go on. I should always go with God. Please God, help my in my unbelief.