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.”
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.”
