"In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory." Amos 9:11
God's timing is amazing! Last evening I received a message from a dear friend. A heater had been turned off in a house, and pipes broke. Water has gone through all the walls, all the ceilings and all the floors. The house has to be gutted from the inside and everything replaced. Speechless, my friend had no words to really frame the situation, but still she shared with me that she had surprising peace considering the current magnitude of the ruin.
To read God's promise of restoration this morning is such an encouragement. Now, before you accuse me of misappropriating the text, I do know these verses are referencing the nation of Israel. The Davidic dynasty had faced decline and decay, but the prophet Amos was prophesying that it would be raised and reestablished. This will ultimately be fulfilled at the return of the Messiah, who will Himself, assume the throne of David. But, the timing of today's reading and this reminder of truth is that God still longs to repair, rebuild and restore.
Our Lord specializes in putting together what is torn or broken. He is always working to make all things new. It is His desire to breathe fresh hope into fallen lives.
As "houses" for His Holy Spirit, there are areas in each one of us that need the touch of the Carpenter's hand. There are "damaged walls". There are areas that sit in "ruin". The "glory" has gone, but God is a resurrection God, bringing the "dead" back to life. He desires to take what is crushed, wounded and broken and bring healing and restoration.
In Isaiah 43:19 God speaks the following encouragement through His prophet, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Years ago I copied the following quote as a "keeper" in my notes. Unfortunately I don't know the source, but it is so wise in its reflection. "Joy may seem to pause as grief takes its course, but those whose broken hearts are bound by Him will experience it again."
Joy will be found again! The following verse from Jeremiah 31:4 continues to speak healing to our hearts: "You will build me up again and I will be rebuilt. I will take up my tambourine and go out to dance with the joyful." Bad days do not last forever, even if tension in the middle seems unending. We can go tambourine shopping. Grief will lift. Joy will return. It is a promise of God.
Christ came to minister and mend. He came to secure and save. Praying that the God who restores will repair and heal the brokenness in all our lives today. Let's surrender to God's reconstruction and renovation plans. "There is a time to mend." Ecclesiastes 3:7
"To heal a broken body, to mend a broken heart
To knit together healthy homes, that once lay torn apart
To glory in the praises that His grateful children sing
These treasures are the pleasures of the King."
"The Pleasures of the King"; Songwriters - Robert Mathes/Fred Mackrell; copyright Maybe I Can Music, River Oaks Music Company
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