What do you see in the image above? Many would walk by and leave this shell on the beach because it is broken and they are only looking for the perfect ones. Fortunately, in God’s economy, He welcomes our brokenness and is constantly at work restoring us to all we were created for. How quickly we forget that He created us in His image and what He saw was very good.

In Isaiah 61:4 we read these words, “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” The word devastated appears twice in that verse and that is an appropriate description of what had happened to the nation of Israel. God’s words through Isaiah are not just a history lesson of ancient Israel. God speaks through time and space to reach out to us and tell us that He knows that parts of us are devastated and that we can often even feel like our lives are ancient ruins.

There are bigger and better words in verse four that I prefer to focus on: (I like to call them the “redo” words of God) rebuild, restore, and renew. Whatever devastation life has thrown at us or whatever mess we have made with our poor choices, God trumps it all with His restoration. He will make all things new if we allow Him access to the contents of our lives. He doesn’t get impatient or frustrated even when the “redo” has to be “redone” again (or again).

In the epic battle we find ourselves in, the enemy tries to loot and pillage from us. He takes our courage. He takes our sense of worth. He takes our joy. He takes our peace. Through Jesus, God will return to us all that has been stolen. Will you let Him restore your ancient cities?

Oh, and here’s a final piece of great news – notice it says “they will rebuild” and “they will renew” – once God heals you, you get to join Him in the restoration of others. I know no greater joy and purpose in life than helping God do a new work in someone’s life! That is what Jesus had in mind when He spoke of the Church, the Body of Christ.