You will rebuild the old ruins and restore the long locations.
Isaiah 61: 4
Recovery
In April 2019, a fire broke out in the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Firefighters worked bravely, but when the fire was under control, the cathedral was a ruin. It was a smoking wreck filled with rubble.
However, the people in France were determined to restore it. The effort required 1,500 trees and 46,000 cubic feet new limestone. They restored the organ with its 8,000 pipes. They restored the stained glass windows. They restored the wrought iron railings. They voted on the massive bells of the cathedral again. They built a new roof. They built a new church tower. And while they were there, they carefully scrubbed 450,000 square meters of surface and cleaned it from centuries of old dirt. From December, France has reopened this historical structure of the public. The end result of this restoration is really breathtaking.
Without question, this restoration effort was impressive. As big as this physical restoration was, the restoration of spiritual ruins is something completely different.
In Isaiah, Chapter 61, the Lord speaks to a people in ruins. You saw how your hometown Jerusalem works in smoke. She has taken an enemy nation in captivity. However, the brokenness of their souls is far worse. They realize that they are those who are responsible for having turned their god their backs. You realize that you are those who are responsible for ruining your life.
But her Redeemer is a god who keeps his promises. He promised to send a savior from sin. And when he does it, this savior washes her cleanly from your guilt. He will cover her in the holiness of holy life that he will live in her name. And he will restore it for himself. You will no longer be in ruins.
God also thought this promise for you and me. Apart from him, our life are in ruins – from our sin. But Jesus came. With the good news about what he did, his mind has restored us. He cleaned us with his blood. Our life with him is now fresh and clean and new.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I was in ruins. But you restored me through your gospel. Thank you very much. Amen.
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Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures come from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ used with the approval of Zondervan. Subject to all rights worldwide.
