Keys to Rebuild That Which is Broken

I went to bed late, and woke up early. The restlessness did not ease over the midnight hours, but the following verses greeted me in my morning devotion, offering fresh water for a new day.

This election year, full of divide and discord, has left a broken nation in search of healing and restoration. Perhaps for you and I, our nation is not the only thing that feels broken after the past year. My eyes fall on the very words of the Lord in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, and the Spirit whispers the keys to rebuilding that which is broken.

For context, Zechariah was a prophet and a priest. His family had just returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. After extensive destruction, God’s people were filled with discouragement at the daunting prospect of not only having to rebuild their lives, but also having to rebuild the temple.

It is here that Zechariah comes with the very words of God, to remind them that chaos will be restored in God’s perfect timing.

return

The first thing the Lord speaks to his children is that in order to rebuild, the created must return to their Creator. The original design is always the best template to fix that which is broken; it simply won’t work as well any other way. At the very beginning of Zechariah, the Lord calls to his hurting children, and thus lays the foundation for the process of rebuilding. He simply says, “Return.”

“Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3 ESV

The way for us to return to God is to repent; we turn from evil and return to love. In order to walk in a new direction, we stop moving forward in the direction we are going. Repentance, then, is the road we must walk in order to return, and he promises to meet us there when we do. (For a model of repentance in scripture, see Psalm 51.)

For some of us, this year is a reminder that returning to the Lord is the very foundation we need to begin anew.

receive

Then in Zechariah Chapter 3, we walk through his vision where Joshua, the high priest, stands before God in filthy clothes. Within the following sentences, we watch as God, extending forgiveness, clothes Joshua in clean garments.

For us to rebuild our lives after a series of devastating events, we must be careful not to live in guilt and shame, but to receive the forgiveness extended through the grace of a good Father. As we repent, he meets us and extends forgiveness. Through this merciful act, we are clothed with a new wardrobe, signifying a new identity. That which covers us is no longer the bondage of sin, but the freedom of life eternal.

It can be easy to clothe ourselves with other things. I know I’ve attempted to find my identity in a range of things, only to be devastated when change comes. Perhaps this is a time for us to return and remember our new identity.

We are no longer called to strive after the gifts of this world, but are invited into receiving the gifts purchased by our Savior.

The process of rebuilding includes not only receiving forgiveness, but also extending forgiveness to others. For our nation to rebuild, for our relationships to be mended, for our hearts to be healed, may we be intentional to receive and extend.

One of the best ways we can extend this grace is through our words. To help, I have written this guide for ways that we can season our words with grace in a combative culture. Inside you will find five guiding principles to help you shape your words in a world that has lost it's ability to reason.

DOWNLOAD this free guide HERE.

restore

Lastly, Zechariah Chapter 4 reminds us that the act of rebuilding is not dependent upon our own strength.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. - Zechariah 4:6 ESV

Contrary to our flesh, the work of rebuilding and restoration is accomplished by an outpouring of his Spirit. Take a minute and ponder the fact that it doesn’t require the right counselor, an increase of money, or a certain President to rebuild and restore that which is broken. Don’t get me wrong - those can all be helpful, but they in no way are required for rebuilding to take place or for peace to abound.

“My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.” Haggai 2:5 ESV

These verses have given me words to pray and truths to lean on in this season.

What areas of your life do you seek restoration?

May we remember He has chosen us for this time, and this place. Equally, he has chosen a time for reconciliation, and a time for restoration. In the days to come, may we learn more of what it means to rely on His strength and the power of His spirit in all areas.

Lord, pour your Spirit out among us. We are desperate for you.

Amen.