The once beautiful city renowned across the Middle East, that had drawn royalty from distant lands now lay demolished and burned. That’s what Jerimiah saw looking down on the city of Jerusalem soon after Nebuchadnezzar’s army destroyed anything that remained from Babylon’s two previous invasions. From a hill believed to have been Golgotha where Jesus would be crucified, Jeremiah composed the Book of Laminations, a dirge or funeral song. He writes that the city, which was once full of people, was now alone like a widow. He saw the bodies of the young and old who had been slain, still lying in the streets. In ruins, the city and the nation appeared to be gone forever.
In the last weeks, people all over the world have watched media coverage of the damage left by a typhoon and dozens of tornados. Appearing numb and disoriented, survivors shuffled along nameless streets searching for any resemblance of what used to be. All they could see were ruins.
Not all ruins are so visible. If we could peek beyond the external facades into the lives of certain people, their devastation might appear just as great as the above physical ruins. They are the individuals and families who have been shattered by affairs of this world. Their life has gone from beauty to ashes. Tragically in our current age, it is not just a few, there are many. Distraught people are all around us sitting in a work cubical next to ours, living in our neighborhoods, or even sitting next to us in church. In fact, you may be one of them. Sometimes others know their story. Yet, many suffer in silence. Like the survivors of the recent natural disasters, they search for any resemblance of what used to be. But, all they see is ruins.
The destruction of Jerusalem was the LORD’s judgment. For years, the people of Judah violated God’s covenant. He had admonished them for their sin and idolatry through the prophet Jeremiah and the other prophets. But they refused to listen. The covenant He made with Israel hundreds of years earlier said He would bless them if they obeyed. It also plainly warned if they disobeyed Him, He would curse them, bring an enemy nation to destroy and enslave them.
No one can say what brought about the recent disaster from the powerful winds of nature. It could simply be because we live in a sinful and fallen world where even the creation was subjected to futility (Rom 8:20). Individual’s devastation can be brought about by multiple causes—the sinful world around them, personal sin, sins of others, genetic weakness causing disease, unwise relationships, wrong choices, or just plain out stupid mistakes. This list would be endless.
During our lifetime, we may all find ourselves hopelessly wandering in ruins, and not even know why. But regardless of the cause, note the promises God gave Jeremiah. The LORD through the prophet had warned the people of coming judgment. Yet, even before Nebuchadnezzar’s troops invaded Jerusalem, God also gave Jeremiah a prophetic promise for the nation. In this place which you say is a ruin . . . there will be heard again a sound of joy and gladness (Jer. 33:10). This was a promise to a nation that was going to be judged for their disobedience. Although, the city and the nation appeared to be gone forever, God already saw it would be restored. Two chapters prior, Jeremiah wrote the word of the LORD; in the future, their life will be like a watered garden (Jer. 31:12).
These verses are promises to Israel. However, they apply to anyone in the midst of ruins. This is God’s character. He has no desire that our lives lay in ruins, rather He wants your life to be like a watered garden. Regardless of what brought about destruction and feelings of hopeless, God promises that you will again hear the sound of joy and gladness. Jeremiah is not alone in recording promises from the LORD. Isaiah wrote, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting (Isa 61:3). The psalmist wrote He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs (107:35). It is difficult for those sitting in ruins to grasp such a possibility. But note the LORD’s respond when Jeremiah questioned God about what appeared impossible, is anything too difficult for Me (Jer. 32:27).
Numerous times, I have sat in the mist of ruins of my own making wondering if my life was over. Yet, each time God’s promises were greater than my hopelessness. He can, and will bring you out of your ruins if you allow Him. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me (Psalms 50:15).
SUSTAINING WORD FOR THE WEEK: Stop searching for what use to be and call upon Jesus. Let Him turn your desert into pools of water and make your life like a watered garden. Remember the words He gave Jeremiah, is anything too difficult for Me.