One of the names of God is Restorer.
Restorer: a person who repairs or renovates something, so as to return it to its original condition.
One who brings back or re-establishes a previous right, practice or situation.
In this world, we wrestle with the brokenness of human nature and face the wreckage that sin leaves behind. Sometimes, it may seem that nothing good can rise out of a wasteland. How can there be restoration, a thriving metropolis in what is currently a mountain of debris?
His name is Restorer. He uses the rubble to lay a new foundation. Out of the wreckage, He fashions a new city. This Restorer uses the debris of our poor choices to build anew.
I like to envision it as a crumbled and ruined city, restored not only to its original condition, but enhanced. Made even more glorious than it was before. Imagine a house built over 200 years ago that has been neglected and crumbling for years. Someone buys the house, restores it to its original glory, but also adds so much more: he installs electricity, indoor plumbing, and all the modern conveniences. That is restoration enhanced.
This is what our God, the Restorer does.
He takes our real-life mistakes, our sin and the sins done to us, and begins to build a new foundation with the pieces. He uses the rubble. The debris! And this Restorer repairs, renovates and enhances the original building.
Isn’t this such a beautiful picture of hope?
No one is ever ruined beyond repair, because God uses the debris to build anew.
Our ashes are the fertilizer for a flourishing, healthy garden.
…Comfort for all who mourn,
Isaiah 61
Give them bouquets of roses
instead of ashes.
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them ‘Oaks of Righteousness’
planted by God to display his glory.
They’ll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They’ll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.
Take courage in the face of a broken, sinful world. Tenaciously cling to hope, because our Father is a Restorer.