True Sweetness: 9 Days to Growing in the Fruit of the SpiritSample

Restoring Hope

"This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." NEHEMIAH 8:10 NIV

When they began the project, the house looked like a total loss. Rotting wood lined the doorways and window sashes, parts of the ceiling dangled down from above, and random trash left by the previous owners littered the stained and torn carpet below. But the house flippers didn’t mind. They were in the renovation business! The team split up to tackle different problem areas based on their expertise. As they continued to put their skills and sweat to work, a beautiful transformation began to unfold. The formerly dilapidated structure became sound and secure and aesthetically pleasing—a desirable place for any new family to inhabit.

What made the renovation team work so hard, day after day? They didn’t get bogged down by the disaster in front of them because they knew what it would look like in the end. Their vision for the house’s potential and the prospect of a future payoff propelled them to persevere.

As believers, we can look at our broken-down, fallen world in much the same way as that worn-out house. We can concede that our culture is crumbling and the prognosis is grim unless intervention happens. But we are in God’s restoration business! We have the power of His Spirit inside us to heal what’s broken and bring hope to the hurting. Even in the middle of the day’s difficulty, we don’t despair. The joy of God’s Spirit fills us with strength as we stick to His restoration process, one person at a time.

When you turn on the news or scroll through your social media feeds, do you feel like all is lost? Look up to the One with the master plan that promises eternal redemption. Let the joy of His indwelling Spirit fill you with energy and strength, knowing that God certainly finishes every work He starts. Remind yourself that earthly efforts for His kingdom promise eternal rewards that far outweigh your current struggle. Today, thank God for the opportunity to join Him in His kingdom work and fill you with joyful hope as you work together to restore beauty.

Father, I praise Your name because You are good and You restore what's broken. Thank You that I can experience Your joy to the full even while I'm working through dark and difficult trials because I know You make everything beautiful in its time. In Jesus's name. Amen.