Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell…(Isaiah 58:12)
Many, many times I have built a tall tower with my child, only to watch her destroy it just so that we can start over again. After all, every moment spent with her, even though we often do the same thing on repeat over and over again is investing in our relationship. Especially those moments of rebuilding.
Satan is a destroyer. One thing he cannot do is create. It’s not what he does. He takes created things and seeks to destroy them through deception, faithlessness, unresolved anger, bitterness and hatred.
There are moments in my life when I’m just kind of done rebuilding. Why? Because I’ve put so much effort into it and it continues to crash and fall. Just like I sometimes get tired of rebuilding the same tall tower with my child I also get tired of rebuilding the same issue, relationship or opportunity that has come crashing down once more.
In my sinful state part of me just wants the whole thing to crumble and stay that way so I don’t have to deal with it anymore. Sadly, in that state I don’t want to see it resurrect because I lack the faith to believe that it can be better than before. Therefore, I’ll stop praying for God to restore it and start to think about its destruction.
Friend, we must silence the destructive voice of the deceiver and side with God as we seek to continually restore things broken down by sin. Trust me, I know its hard. I know its laborious and painful. I know you don’t really want to put anymore effort into it, but please, just as I am telling myself, keep the long view in mind.
Seeing this area in your life be destroyed so that you don’t have to deal with it any longer will NOT produce something of greater worth or value in your life. Prayerfully asking God to work to restore and redeem will keep your heart and mind on things above. As hard as it is, keep praying and keep believing that God can restore this thing and that only He can make it better than it was before. If it never gets better and you go to your dying breathe at least you sided with God and His desire to restore and make all things new.
Lord, my heart is troubled. Forgive me that I don’t always side with you but instead with the destroyer. Forgive me for not wanting the things that please your heart. Help me now to live in what you see as good, in Jesus name, Amen.
Heather Quiroz 