“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
Isaiah 61:4
God’s people in Isaiah’s day were brokenhearted and struggling under the weight of their sin, exile, imprisonment, and spiritual despair. These may be the very things that burden your soul today. Isaiah said that faithlessness and sin had been characteristic of the nation for generations. But our Lord Jesus declared Himself to be the hope, the rescuer (see Luke 4:18-19). Christ was anointed to offer restoration, joy, and a reputation for righteousness. Don’t we all desperately long for those?
Let’s look at verse 4 because as repentant ones, we enter the hope of rebuilding things previously devastated by sin. Since Christ is the fulfillment of those words, the rebuilding is not limited to the physical restructuring of Jerusalem at the time. The gospel is about a wholeness of restoration to what life was meant to be in relationship to God.
What needs rebuilding in your life, for the sake of God’s glory? It may be hard, but there is promised hope in the One who is now and always has been in the business of rebuilding and renewing.
Let’s look at verse 4 because as repentant ones, we enter the hope of rebuilding things previously devastated by sin. Since Christ is the fulfillment of those words, the rebuilding is not limited to the physical restructuring of Jerusalem at the time. The gospel is about a wholeness of restoration to what life was meant to be in relationship to God.
What needs rebuilding in your life, for the sake of God’s glory? It may be hard, but there is promised hope in the One who is now and always has been in the business of rebuilding and renewing.
Scripture Focus
Isaiah 61:1-4
Insight
Written by Tim McCracken, Regional Director for Metanoia Prison Ministries, San Joaquin Valley, CA, reminding many brothers in Christ of their restoration and joy in Jesus.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 7-8
- Psalm 49
- Luke 13