Isaiah 45:2-5 (NIV) (focus verse 5)
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.
There is such a thing as an “unconditional guidance in which God acts in sovereignty without any requisite for such guidance, and regardless of man’s attitude.” Cyrus was the King of Persia from 559-530 BC. He was not a follower of the God of the Bible, but a pagan king that God used to help God’s people return to their promised land and begin to rebuild. “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia…(and Cyrus put it in writing) …He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem…” (Ezra 1:1-4). God can move on the hearts of leaders to act according to His purposes. Cyrus is mentioned in the biblical prophecy some 150 years before he came into power and Isaiah mentioned him by name! This is an example of unconditional divine guidance. God is sovereign and will bring His purposes to pass. He is omnipotent and greater than any earthly ruler.