Rebuild the ruins

Verse 4 of Isaiah 61 makes me think of the destruction caused by wars currently going on and over the millennia before. It says, “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.”

Of course, Isaiah is assuring the people of Israel, who are in exile in Babylon, that they will return to their homeland and be able to rebuild their homes and the Temple. He says that God will bring them back and all will be well.

I think that this verse also calls us to action to make whole the ruins in our own lives, the devastations of past failures (or perhaps abuse) and to repair the things that we think are too badly ruined to be fixed. Maybe it’s a relationship or words spoken in anger. Perhaps we have betrayed a trust. Could it be that we have abandoned a dream of our own and allowed it to fall to ruin?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives 2 guidelines for ways to go about repairing this type of damage, which is sometimes more invisible than visible. Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” and “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”.

To be meek is to be patient, humble, gentle, and even submissive. These are not things we like to be in our culture of grab what you can for yourself.

Mercy is being compassionate, kind, sympathetic. Again, not things valued in our culture. Both are ways to rebuild relationships with others and even with yourself.

It can seem easier to conform to the ‘world’ because as humans we like to be part of the ‘in’ crowd. The good news is that we are part of a bigger in crowd as Children of God! I John 4:4 tells us, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” The Christian group Mercy Me uses this verse as the basis for their song Greater.

Dave Peterson in a High Calling meditation notes, “Mistakenly we measure most people by their outer world when the true measure of a life is found on the inside. Our inner life with God determines whether we are pygmies or giants, whether we ride Shetlands or Clydesdales, and whether our lives turn out like David or Goliath.”

As we think about the ruins that need repaired in our lives and relationships, let’s remember, as Mercy Me sings, “Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world!” We ARE able to be humble and offer mercy precisely because “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Ask God for humility to rebuild the ruined things in your life and the ability to offer mercy to yourself or to another. With Dave Peterson of High Calling, let us pray to find the guidance for healing and building up what is broken.

“Lord God, reveal to me my inner world. Help me to know more and more about why I am the way I am. Where I am bullied by old fears and pained by unhealed wounds, bring me relief. Replace all constricting forces within me, with the life-giving gifts of your Spirit. Amen.”