"From Ruin to Glory"

How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is none to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. After affliction and harsh labor, Judah has gone into exile. She dwells among the nations; she finds no resting place. All who pursue her have overtaken her in the midst of her distress. (Lamentations 1:1-3 NIV).

These and the verses following are among some of the most tragic in the Bible. The mighty city, Jerusalem! Zion, the city of God, the spiritual center of the earth, lies in rubble and ruin, crushed underfoot by the sword of pagan warriors. What makes this scene truly tragic is remembering what led to these circumstances. The people of Israel were the pride of God, his treasured possession. He promised safety and protection if they would follow him and be obedient to his commands. He promised judgment if they turned aside to pagan ways.

We know the story all too well. The Israelites turned away from God. With much patience and many warnings God called the people to repent and return to faithful living. The people responded by plunging deeper into sin. The end result was judgment and downfall, a picture of desolation beginning with the words of our reading today. But the writer of Lamentations continues to write. As he reflects on the destruction of Jerusalem and the sin of the people he also remembers the mercy and faithfulness of God. In the third chapter we emerge from the darkness of despair to the light of God’s hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. (Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV).

This ought to give all of us great hope. Often when we remember our past we can feel as though we are looking over our shoulder and looking at the rubble we have left behind us. I have counseled with many people who have realized their bad living, bad witness, bad examples, and terrible mistakes have only left a desolate future. But God is faithful with his people. He does not excuse or smooth over our sins, he nails them to the cross. He calls us to live in the forgiveness of sin, and to go and sin no more.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. No matter what ruins lie behind you, the Lord’s mercies for you are new every morning. From the rubble of your forgiven past God will build an edifice of his glory. Your past is not an issue with the Lord when you have asked for His forgiveness. You may still have a “city” to rebuild, but He will help you do that. Are you ready to rebuild? Let’s get started today!