Build Up the Ancient Ruins
Isaiah 61:4: "They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."
Babylon did not just defeat the Israelites. The Babylonians destroyed the city of Jerusalem then decimated the temple and all that surrounded the temple. Their aim was to leave no trace of the temple so that it could never be rebuilt or restored.
The temple had been the center of the nation of Israel; it was the place of gathering, the place of sacrifice, the place in which the people could experience the presence of a holy God. The temple symbolized that the nation of Israel had a God, and their God was different from the gods of the surrounding nations. Their God was a God of relationship, rescue, and restoration. Not only did Israel worship a personal deity, but this deity was the Creator of heaven and earth, and he had all power. He alone reigned above every other god.
Because theirs was a personal God who cared for his people, there was always hope for the nation of Israel. Yes, they sinned against God. They failed to maintain their covenantal faithfulness, but God never did. He was a God of mercy and grace, of redemption and restoration. While the foundations of the temple were destroyed, the God of Israel would empower his people to rebuild the temple and to fill the temple with the glory of God once again. Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and the people would see the miraculous work of redemption through their God.
The Lord is still in the business of rebuilding what seems to be ruined; he is a God who takes messes and turns them into miracles; he heals hearts, lives, and spirits. There is nothing and no one beyond his reach. Are we seeking this miracle-working God, or are we content living in devastation? God loves to make all things new. The Christian band Gungor expresses this hope beautifully in their song "Beautiful Things":
You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of us.
This Advent season, let us seek this amazing God and seek the miraculous work that he longs to do in saving us, redeeming us, and restoring us.
Reflection:
Do you have some ancient ruins that need rebuilding? How can you look to God to guide you in this rebuilding process? He loves to make beautiful things out of our lives!
Babylon did not just defeat the Israelites. The Babylonians destroyed the city of Jerusalem then decimated the temple and all that surrounded the temple. Their aim was to leave no trace of the temple so that it could never be rebuilt or restored.
The temple had been the center of the nation of Israel; it was the place of gathering, the place of sacrifice, the place in which the people could experience the presence of a holy God. The temple symbolized that the nation of Israel had a God, and their God was different from the gods of the surrounding nations. Their God was a God of relationship, rescue, and restoration. Not only did Israel worship a personal deity, but this deity was the Creator of heaven and earth, and he had all power. He alone reigned above every other god.
Because theirs was a personal God who cared for his people, there was always hope for the nation of Israel. Yes, they sinned against God. They failed to maintain their covenantal faithfulness, but God never did. He was a God of mercy and grace, of redemption and restoration. While the foundations of the temple were destroyed, the God of Israel would empower his people to rebuild the temple and to fill the temple with the glory of God once again. Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and the people would see the miraculous work of redemption through their God.
The Lord is still in the business of rebuilding what seems to be ruined; he is a God who takes messes and turns them into miracles; he heals hearts, lives, and spirits. There is nothing and no one beyond his reach. Are we seeking this miracle-working God, or are we content living in devastation? God loves to make all things new. The Christian band Gungor expresses this hope beautifully in their song "Beautiful Things":
You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of us.
This Advent season, let us seek this amazing God and seek the miraculous work that he longs to do in saving us, redeeming us, and restoring us.
Reflection:
Do you have some ancient ruins that need rebuilding? How can you look to God to guide you in this rebuilding process? He loves to make beautiful things out of our lives!
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