In the case of Cyrus, it was prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah that the children of Israel would return to Jerusalem. Who fulfilled that prophecy? A king of a pagan nation did! We know that people prayed and prophets prophesied, but the one who actually facilitated God's plan coming to pass was Cyrus.

In Isaiah 53 it was prophesied that Jesus would be wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we would be healed. We see these wonderful prophecies about the great redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. But who was going to actually physically carry it out?

Jesus was a good Man, a wonderful Man. Who would ever lay a finger on such a Man? Who would have the wickedness and a heart vile enough to kill one like Him? Who would even be authorized to order the torture and death by crucifixion which was required for the fulfilling of these prophecies?

A "David" kind of king would never have commissioned the death of Jesus. Neither would a "Cyrus" type of king. They would have let Jesus go because He was innocent.

However, what would have happened if Jesus had been let go? The prophecies would not have been fulfilled and we would all be unredeemed and on our way to hell along with all the other humans who ever lived on the face of the earth.

This prophecy had to be fulfilled and accomplished by a wicked king. It is interesting that God even figures wicked people into His plan.

GOD made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment. [are fitted for their role]
(Prov. 16:4 MSG)

To fulfill God's plan, Jesus had to be crucified and only the Roman government had the authority to carry this out. It wasn't the Chief Priest and religious leaders, although they played their part. It could not have been just someone on the street; they didn't have the authority. It was precisely Herod and Pontius Pilot, just as Acts 4:27 states.

Remember when Pontius Pilate said to Jesus, "Why don't You say something? I can have You released! I have the power to say that You are innocent and get You off this charge." Jesus replied and said, "You don't have any power except what God gave you" (John 10:18).

So was God confused or slack regarding who He allowed to be put in office at that time in history? No! It all worked into His plan and purpose.

God's Plan will be Accomplished
Some prayers will remove leaders from office who will not submit to God's plan. Some prayers will put others into office to accomplish a particular divine assignment. There are some people who will not leave their office until they accomplish what is destined of them.

A good king would not have done what Herod and Pontius Pilate were destined to do. In our day, the same thing applies to kings and those in authority who are hard-hearted rulers. If they have soft hearts at all they would yield to God. Instead, their hearts remain hard.

You can pray for these people, even compassionately, but if they continue to resist God they become more cruel and irrational. Even with this category of wicked kings, prayer is to be persistently made. In this case, we are not called to change a king, but to prepare a way for our King! Ultimately, even wicked kings cannot hold back the effect of persistent, Spirit-directed prayers. That is why He who sits in the heavens laughs even when kings are plotting against Him. Pharaoh, Herod, and Pontius Pilate didn't help prepare the way of the Lord by their goodness, but their roles actually became a part of the road.

Let us not draw back from praying from any kind of king or ruler. It is God Who sets kings in place, and with our prayers, each one will fulfill God's plan and purpose as we prepare the way of the Lord (Dan.2:20-22; Rom. 13:1-5).

Source: For Such A Time As This by Patsy Cameneti
Excerpt permission granted by Blaze Publishing House