God will surely fulfill the promises He made to us

through His Word, in God’s time and in God’s way!

God moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia

to issue a decree throughout his realm and put it in writing

to fulfill what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

The essence of this decree was to proclaim:

"The God of Israel is the true God,"

and "Any of His people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah

and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel."

In issuing this decree, King Cyrus declared,

"He is the God who is in Jerusalem.  

May the God of the heavens be with you all"

(Ezra 1:1-3).

As I reflect on this passage,

I realize that God, through His word and promises,

will surely accomplish His purposes

in His own time and in His own way,

even using unbelieving kings of nations

as instruments in His hands.

And about 20 years ago,

the Lord brought me back to the United States through a pastor from America

who came to the Church Renewal Pastors' Fellowship (CRPF) retreat in Korea.

Through the words of promise from Matthew 16:18,

"... I will build my church,"

spoken by the guest speaker from the United States,

the Lord led me back to the United States,

where I have been serving Victory Presbyterian Church until now,

believing and seeing with the eyes of faith

how He continues to fulfill that promise.

Though I am unfaithful, the Lord is always faithful,

and He will surely fulfill the promise

He has made to Victory Presbyterian Church

(Ref.: 2 Timothy 2:13).