I find the story in Ezra chapter 1 to be a fascinating testament to the working of God. It was the end of the Babylonian captivity of Judah, and time for God's people to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the house of God. But how did God accomplish this? Did God's people rise up on their own to go home? Did God raise up a leader from within the Jewish people to lead them out, as God raised up Moses to lead his people out of the bondage of Egypt?
No, in this case, God used the pagan king himself, who was in charge of their captivity, to send them home and support them in rebuilding Jerusalem. The Bible says that the Lord stirred up his spirit to do this. God clearly used him to do a great thing.
God doesn't use us because we are special. God can use whoever He chooses to accomplish His will and keep His promises. Its not about me, and what I can do for God; its about God, and bringing glory to Him and fulfilling His Word.
(Ezra 1:1-3) "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, (2) Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (3) Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem."