I will go before thee and make the crooked places straight
-Isaiah 45:2
Summary of Isaiah chapter 45:
This chapter contains prophecies concerning Cyrus, who is the first king of the Persians and the deliverer of the Jews from captivity; and concerning the grace, righteousness, and salvation of Christ; and the conversion of the Gentiles.
1. Every obstruction shall be removed out of his way, and the treasures taken from his enemies shall be immense, Isaiah 45:1-3.
2. To whom, and on what account, Cyrus was indebted for his wonderful success, Isaiah 45:4-6.
3. The prophet refutes the absurd opinion of the Persians, that there were two supreme beings, an evil and a good one, represented by light and darkness, here declared to be only the operation of the One true God, Isaiah 45:7
4. And makes a transition to the still greater work of God displayed in the dispensation of the Gospel, Isaiah 45:8.
5. Great impiety of those who call in question the mysterious providence of God towards his children, Isaiah 45:9-12.
6. The remaining part of this chapter, interspersed with strictures on the absurdity of idolatry and some allusions to the dark lying oracles of the heathens, may partly refer to the deliverance begun by Cyrus, but chiefly to the salvation by the Messiah, which, it is declared, shall be of universal extent and everlasting duration, Isaiah 45:13-25.
Today’s Verse:
Isaiah says about God that he would remove all impediments and obstructions out of Cyrus’s way, and cause him to surmount all difficulties.
HE will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; with which the brasen gates were barred: in the wall that surrounded Babylon there were a hundred gates, all made of solid brass, twenty five on each side of the square; which, no doubt, are here referred to; which could not hinder the entrance of Cyrus into the city, and the taking of it.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, again, I thank You, Father in heaven, for the blessings and graces You have given me this day. Once more I entreat Your continuing protection. Conscious of my own weakness and frailty, of my many faults, I entrust myself to Your loving care.
I entrust to Your protection, loving Father, those dear to me, my relatives, friends, and all those living and dead, who have done good for me and mine by Your holy inspiration. Be pleased, Eternal Father, to keep in Your care Your Church, the Holy Father, and all who serve You religiously. Please assist also all civil officials to exercise authority justly, and to direct all our people according to Your will.
In Your loving and tender mercy, Lord and Father, assist especially those who are poor and deprived, those who suffer, and all who are without hope in this life unless You come to their aid. It is You alone Who can bring great good out of the worst evils by Your unbounded power. So we trust You to curb the malice of the wicked, to convert sinners, and bring us all to a knowledge of Your love.
These favors we beg in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your only Son, Who reigns forever with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, through all ages.In the name of Jesus, Amen.