What good is it?

Are you ready for some good news?

God never lets the rubble of your life go to waste—He builds your life on top of the ruins.

With their homeland overtaken, their cities sacked and their temple destroyed, the Hebrew exiles in Babylon received a remarkable word:

“This is what the Lord says: ‘… the city will be rebuilt on her ruins….’” (Jeremiah 30:18, NIV)

In ancient times, settlers often rebuilt cities atop the old ruins of a former city. Scholars point to a number of common-sense reasons that ancient civilizations liked to build new cities over the old ruins:

• Under the ruins of the city were all the building blocks needed for new construction. Why haul heavy blocks from long distances when the needed foundation was right beneath the ground?
• The waterworks were often still available. Aqueducts, wells, springs and pipes laid by previous generations could bring water to the new city.
• The rubble was valuable! Though in need of restoration, the old ruins contained valuable supplies.
• The old city was probably built on a prime location, so there was no sense in relocating the city.

It makes me think of the restoration God brings in our lives. Think about it:

• All the building blocks of glory are in you. You were made in the image of God. God doesn’t need new material to make you new – He just needs to restore the original image.
• The waterworks are still available. Though Adam and Eve were separated from the Tree of Life and put out of the Garden, there is still a river that makes glad the city of God. God’s living water has not dried up.
• You are infinitely valuable. What looks like ruins to you may be treasure to God!
• You’re still God’s prime location. Whatever “ruins” have mounted in your life, know this: God hasn’t given up on you. You’re His person. He doesn’t have to look somewhere else.

Global pandemic may maraud us, leaving rubble in its wake. But God rebuilds atop the ruins. And that’s the Gospel!