falling apart

But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple. 2 Kings 12:6

Making repairs is something that many people do not really like to do. They know that they need to be done and see it staring at them all the time, but busyness, costs or just plain laziness keeps them occupied otherwise.

Rather than make the necessary repairs, many will let things fall apart and trust that those things will still work and work with them in the delipidated condition. Others expect other people to make the repairs.

Prior to Joash becoming king, the temple had fallen into disrepair. As king he asked the priests to have it repaired. After twenty-three years the temple was still not repaired.

Most believers will meet together on a regular basis in a building for church services, to worship God and to be trained to do the work of the Lord in their communities. In many of these churches, the people will strive to keep the building in good repair in order to attract others and to look nice.

While they are willing to repair the physical church, many do not put much work into the new temple of God–their hearts and lives. Some believers will go for many years continuing to hold on to and practice some sinful practice with no intention of stopping. They refuse to really grow in the Lord, staying as they were and are in a fallen state of disrepair. Failing to make repairs is denying the power of God in one’s life.

Every believer needs to work on growing in God. There are always areas in one’s life that need to be repaired. God will touch the believer with His Holy Spirit revealing where changes and repairs need to be made.

Regardless of where you are in your walk with God as a believer, there are probably more areas that need to be repaired in your life. Do not allow yourself to settle with where you are but continue to grow and mature in the Lord.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in changes that need to be made so that you may be more like Jesus every day. As He shows you areas that need to be repaired, make those necessary repairs. Do not allow yourself to stay in a state of disrepair and sin.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be the temple of God; that God will reveal to you areas in your life that need to be repaired for His glory; and that God will give you strength and direction to grow in Jesus.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

Over time older homes begin to wear down from all the storms that have occurred. Pain chips, leaks in the roof, holes in the walls, shifting foundation, and more wear the house down.

Some people will just tear the old house down to build a new one. Others, seeing great hope in it, will restore it, making it strong, safe, and secure.

As Peter brings his letter to a close, he tells the people that after having to suffer for a while, God will, in His grace, restore them, making them strong, firm and steadfast.

Lives of people are often just like an old house. In the storms of life, they break down and wear down, getting weary and worn out.

Life as a believer is not always easy. There are the normal struggles of life that every one goes through, plus there is the suffering for being a believer. All of these struggles take a toll on the life of a believer.

Some will lose hope and just quit, tearing down what was left of their life as a believer. They forget that Jesus will return some day and restore them. Restoration that God promises may happen in this life, but if not it will definitely happen in eternity in heaven.

Everything that a believer goes through is for the purpose of building him up in Christ, making him stronger, more firm and more steadfast than ever before. This is for his own life and to be a witness and strength to others.

Instead of giving up, the believer must hold on to the hope that Jesus will return and restore him.

You may feel worn down, tired and of no value, due to the struggles and suffering in your life. Do not allow yourself to give in and quit. Look forward to the hope you have in Christ Jesus.

This life and its sufferings are only temporary. Soon Jesus will restore you and make you strong. These sufferings will only help to make you more firm and steadfast in your belief in Jesus and your witness of who He is.

Hold on to the hope you have of restoration in Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will strengthen you in times of suffering; that God will restore you to full strength; that you will be firm and steadfast in Christ; and that you will know the hope you have in Jesus.