Stirred Hearts and Settled Spirits

The book of Ezra opens with God “stirring the heart” of King Cyrus, a foreign ruler, to allow the Jews to return from exile and rebuild the temple. Though many chose the security of Babylon, those whose spirits God stirred stepped into uncertainty, trusting God’s promise of restoration. Ezra reminds us that even after seasons of exile, loss, or division, God initiates renewal—often in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. Just as Cyrus’ decree fulfilled Jeremiah’s promise of hope and a future, Christ fulfills it completely: in his death and resurrection, Jesus rebuilds what was destroyed and brings restoration to our lives. In him, we live “under new management,” no longer defined by sin or exile but by the freedom and hope of God’s grace.