Have you ever had a feud or a problem with someone that was impossible to solve?
God can make a way; He can reconcile enemies. Esau wanted to murder Jacob, but forgave him. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery—but they reconciled. Both Jesus and Stephen asked God to forgive their murderers. God is in the reconciling business.
King Cyrus sent the Hebrews home to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. But others put a stop to it, having heard rumors Jerusalem was “a rebellious city.” After the foundation was laid, years passed in which nothing happened. Then God again gave the Jews favor and “they finished the building according to … the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia” Ezra 6:14. God used three Persian kings to get this work done for the Jews. Not only that, it was paid for out of the Persian treasury. Considering the hatred between the sons of Isaac and of Ishmael (the Jews vs. the Arabs), this cooperation is amazing. Finally, they had a big celebration, complete with hundreds of animal sacrifices to dedicate the temple, and then they had a solemn observance of the Passover.
“They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because the Lord had made them joyful, having CHANGED THE … KING’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THEM, so that he supported them in the work on the house of the God of Israel.” Ezra 6:22.
There. Did you catch that? God CHANGED THE KING’S ATTITUDE toward them. God can change anyone’s heart. Even the heart of a prideful king.
“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.
Does your heart need to change? Do you need someone else’s heart to change? Talk to God about it. He can change ANY heart! God is in the reconciliation business. Tell God about Proverbs 21:1, and ask Him to change hearts and attitudes, and particularly to change your heart and mine so that we love Him and His word more.
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*The photo above capturing a famous moment on October 21, 1967, is called “Flower Power.” The photograph was taken during the March on the Pentagon, when 18-year-old actor and protestor George Harris placed a carnation into the barrel of an M14 rifle held by a member of the United States Army’s 503rd Military Police Battallion (Airborne). The photo by Bernie Boston was nominated for the 1967 Pulitzer Prize. I included it here to symbolize the fact that God can turn war into peace and can change the hearts of anyone–even a king, Proverbs 21:1. After uploading this picture, I saw the watermark: apparently this photo (or the online version I used) was recently the property of RMY Auctions, an auction house handling “historic and vintage photography.” RMY Auctions, PO Box 64, Wilder, ID 83676 (614) 551-9758.
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