Rebuilt Ruins

This conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written:

“Afterward I will return

and restore the fallen house of David.

I will rebuild its ruins

and restore it,

so that the rest of humanity might seek the LORD,

including the Gentiles —

all those I have called to be mine.” Acts 15:15-17

SOME ZEALOUS JEWISH CHRISTIANS began to tell the Gentile Christians in Antioch that if they weren’t circumcised as required by the law of Moses, they couldn’t be saved. But Paul and Barnabas disagreed vehemently. So the church sent the two men to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders to get some clarity on the issue. As they talked, James pointed out that Gentiles coming to Christ was exactly what the Old Testament prophets said would happen.

He quoted the prophet Amos, who promised God’s people that though they were about to be trampled by the Assyrians, the day would come when they would be restored. Why would God rebuild his people from the ruins? “So that the rest of humanity might seek the LORD, including the Gentiles” (verse 17).

Many years after Amos gave this prophecy, Jesus came into the world and began this restoration process by calling a believing remnant of Israel to himself and then sending them out to invite the Gentiles in. First there were twelve apostles. Then there were five thousand converts in Jerusalem. Then the gospel began to spread throughout the known world.

God is still at work reclaiming his people from the ruins. He is not looking for perfect people or families to accomplish his work in the world. He uses those who have been ruined by sin and are being restored and renewed by the power of God to call others to himself. He wants the world to see what grace accomplishes in the lives of broken people and broken homes so that others will seek out that grace for themselves.

Lord, come into our ruin, and do your work of rebuilding. May your gracious renovation of our lives be a light to those around us in need of your restoration.