Divine Restoration

God sure has a sense of humor, doesn't He? During one of my recent quiet times and as I reflected on the believer being "under construction", it occurred to me that some of us were restoration projects. At one time or another, the love of God flowed through us and we were so in love with Him that every waking moment was spent with Him on our minds. We cherished the times we spent in His company, the times we talked, fellowshipped, unloaded our deepest fears and concerns while embracing His peace over our minds and hearts. We loved the intimacy.

Yet, as time progressed, something changed. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living, we became pressed for time and before we realized it, the moments with Him became fewer and farther between. The relationship that needed to be nurtured and watered to remain vibrant started to suffer. Like a building showing signs of continued neglect, spiritually, cracks appear in the foundation of our faith, dust and cobwebs cover our perception of truth, our convictions go to and fro like broken shingles caught in the wind, and our witness to the world became dulled like the building's weather-worn paint. Do you recognize yourself in that picture? Not appealing to look at, but the perfect situation for a God who specializes in restorations!

While our salvation is by grace and God alone, our restoration to our rightful place in the kingdom is a cooperative effort. We need to recognize and acknowledge the emptiness of life and it's experiences outside of Christ, and like the prodigal son, purpose within ourselves to return home. In relating the parable as told by Jesus, Luke tells us that after looking at where he (the son) was, and remembering where he belonged, "he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (15:20, KJV).

It really did not matter what the son had done, or how damaging his actions were to the relationship. With sincere repentance, in his father he found not condemnation and judgment, but forgiveness and restoration. For those of us who have drifted away from God, no matter how slightly, He offers the same today. With that in mind, isn't it time to come home? 

Under Construction

In my neighborhood is a fenced lot dotted with some fairly large holes, mounds of dirt, and some construction equipment. Among the other commercial buildings in the area, this plot of land is a bit of an eye sore and undoubtedly, were it to be left that way, the protests would be loud and many. In big bold letters however, were the words "Coming Soon", and above those words, an artist's rendition of a beautiful structure showing what the finished product would look like. The holes in the ground were the start of a process, which, along with numerous construction activities over time, would eventually result in a building that complemented those around it.

As I drove past the lot, the Spirit of the Lord reminded me that the process for the believer is no different. Spiritually, there is not much about some of us that look like representatives of Christ. The world looks at us and scoffs at our lack of appeal. Some people point fingers at our mistakes, our failures, and often we struggle with seeing ourselves as children of God because we seem to fail Him so many times, in so many areas of our day-to-day lives. Yet it is worth remembering that we are under construction; a process that as long as we yearn for God and the things of God, He will continue to shape us to conform to the image of Christ.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears" (1:6, The Message). God will finish what He started. The way we are is not the finished product, but as with the artist's rendering to remind us of what is to come, we look at Christ as representing what we will eventually be. It is no wonder Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him" (Romans 8:29).

If you are nowhere close to what you should be in Christ, take heart. You are under construction and God is not through with you yet. At times in the process you may seem "ugly," but the finish will be beautiful. Yield yourself to Him and allow Him to "make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well

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pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 13:21, KJV). He can be trusted. As the Master Builder, He knows what He is doing.

"Be Still and Know..."

Amidst its hustle and bustle and the constant demands life makes on our time and emotional resources, I am constantly reminded of God's admonition in Psalm 46:10a, "Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God" (AMP). In context, the verse is within a psalm that proclaims the power and security of God amidst a call to end the war between Israel and the surrounding pagan nations. However, Bible scholar Albert Barnes tells us the Hebrew word translated "be still" means "properly to cast down; to let fall; to let hang down; then, to be relaxed, slackened, especially the hands: it is also employed in the sense of not making an effort; not putting forth exertion; and then would express the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue."  With this perspective, we can apply the verse to our day-to-day lives.

How often have we allowed things and situations to threaten our mental space? Circumstances provoke us to worry, to become anxious, to fear, and the peace of God which should stand guard over our hearts and minds seems to be missing when we need it most. It is during these moments that the realities of and the promises in this psalm come alive: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations He hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (Psalm 46:1-11, KJV).

God spoke one verse in that psalm, and when wrapped with the thoughts of the psalmist we are left with these reassuring words: "Be still - stop the frantic activity, stop your attempts to reach your goals by yourself, drop the anxiety, the fear, the worry - and recognize, understand that I am God. . . .your refuge and strength, your present help in the time of trouble." Therefore, with that in mind, we will not fear no matter what is happening around us.

What better way to start our days than by arming ourselves with and reminding ourselves of this truth?