Volume #7 Issue #3 February 2011 - Rising Up from the Ruins

The neighboring picture has sadly become a common sight around our province.  The government, in the name of progress, has taken up the project of tearing down all the old parts of the cities.  Men and women with pickaxes in hand go about demolishing people’s homes and livelihood in hopes of seeing this city advance and develop.  Even some of my friends’ families have found themselves in a similar situation with the government offering them a minimal buy out of their dwelling places.  This picture hits home as you see the woman sitting in the rubble and longing for what once was.

As we read through the Old Testament we see again and again how our God is one who restores a remnant from the rubble, who lifts up life from the ruins.  He promises to restore the city of Jerusalem.  My hope is not that God will give my friends back their former home, nor that the pile of rock this woman is sitting on will be restored to a perfect rendition of her ancestor’s house.

I find my hope in God’s ability to save these people, through Jesus Christ, from the pain, anger, hatred and despair that is tearing their hearts to pieces.  I have hope that God will call a remnant of believing YOU people from among the ruins of depravity and call them to be part of His family. Join me in praying for this to happen soon, that joy will rise out of this desolation, that hearts will be restored to more than they have ever known before.