Rebuilding the Ruins: Restoration and Renewal

January 16, 2025

You will raise up and restore the age-old foundations

Have you ever felt like a walking disaster, convinced that everything you touch falls apart? Do past mistakes and hurts haunt you, whispering that restoration is impossible? Today, we'll dive into Isaiah 58 and uncover God's incredible promise of renewal and our role in rebuilding the ruins, not just in our own lives, but in the lives of others. This is not just a message of hope; it's a call to action, an invitation to partner with God in His restorative work.

Repairing the Breach: Embracing Our Role as Restorers

Isaiah 58:12 (NIV):  "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

God doesn't call us to be destroyers; He calls us to be builders. This passage in Isaiah paints a powerful image of restoration. We are called to rebuild ancient ruins, those areas of our lives that have long lain desolate. Perhaps it's a broken relationship, a shattered dream, or a deep-seated insecurity. Whatever the ruin, God empowers us to rebuild.

"You're not called to break things, you're called to build things."  

This applies not only to physical things but also to emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.

"If I touch this, I'll break it" or "Every time I wash the car, it's going to rain".  These seemingly small statements reveal a mindset that expects failure. But God's word offers a different perspective: we are repairers, not breakers.

Restoring the Foundations: God's Power to Renew

This verse Isaiah 58:12 (NIV) speaks not only of rebuilding what is visible but also of restoring the very foundations, the underlying structures of our lives, even age-old foundations, those deeply rooted issues that have plagued us for years, can be restored by God's power.

"Even the things that you lost because of stupidity, because of a mistake… can be restored for those who believe in Jesus."  

This is a powerful reminder that God's grace extends even to our failures.

What picture are you painting about you today? Are we focusing on our brokenness, or are we embracing the image of ourselves as restorers, empowered by God?

Rising Up: From Brokenness to Wholeness

Imagine a rocket crashed into the village. The villagers saw only the broken pieces and believed that was the intended design of the rocket. They couldn't grasp the true image of the rocket until they saw a whole one. Similarly, sin has distorted our view of reality. Surrounded by brokenness and death, we often mistake these distorted images for normalcy.

But Jesus is the perfect image. He lived a life untouched by sickness or disease. He carried the weight of our brokenness upon Himself so that we could be restored. He demonstrated what it means to fully depend on God – commanding healing, weeping with compassion, and living a life of power and purpose.

"He was the perfect image… He showed what the perfect man can do… He was commanding healing."  

That same anointing rests upon us today. We are called to be Jesus in this world, created in His image and likeness.

So, what picture are you painting of yourself today? It matters deeply. We are called to restore, renew, and raise.

Conclusion:

We are not defined by our brokenness. God sees us as restorers, as builders, as agents of His healing power. Let us embrace this identity and partner with Him in rebuilding the ruins, bringing hope and healing to ourselves and the world around us.

Reflect on This:

1. What "ancient ruins" in your life need rebuilding?

2. How can you practically apply the principle of restoration to your relationships, your work, and your community?

   
   

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for the promise of restoration. I declare that every broken area of my life is being rebuilt by Your power. I am a repairer, a restorer, an agent of Your healing love. I rise up today, filled with Your strength and purpose, ready to be Your hands and feet in the world. Amen.

Key Takeaways:

• We are called to be repairers, not breakers.

• God can restore even age-old foundations.

• Our words have the power to heal and restore.

• We are created in God's image, with the power to create and restore.

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.