Nothing is more important to God than us. He longs to restore our relationship with him and he loves to renew those things stolen and lost. Jesus stretched out on the cross is a picture of love reaching out to us, he could have gotten down any minute. We are considered Gods house, and the church (the collective of true, worshipping Christians) is considered God’s house on the earth. We are imperfect and so is the church; we definitely need some renovation, but there’s good news. He provides for us every step of the way. His goal is the ultimate restoration of a spotless bride with a loving and vibrant relationship with him. How does God rebuild and restore? We can get some insight into the ancient King of Persia Cyrus
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1: 1-4
Want to, Want to
King Cyrus of Persia wasn’t of the faith but still decided to build God’s temple in Jerusalem. He recruited survivors who wanted to help. He then provided for the worker’s needs and also all the materials needed for the temple. They didn’t have to fundraise or beg for alms. God stirred many people to help and give selflessly. He doesn’t just provide for the work he calls us to but he also provides for our personal renovation as well and sends others to help us. His process works in us a beauty, a renewal. Jesus is stirring a desire in our spirits to rebuild. He provides life circumstances and people to get the work done if we are willing. We may not want to live for him. However, even if we want to, want to, want to change for the better, his grace will provide for our needs.
5 Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. 6 And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered.
Treasures Return
God wants to restore everything the enemy has taken from us. Treasures in each one of us have been spoiled and decimated by the enemy of our souls. Many of our dreams, hearts, our hopes, were sacrificed on this world’s altar. They’ve left us scared, closed, and bleeding, but God’s heart is to bring them back, polish them up and restore us to our honored place. We are treasures in God’s house, and God paid the ultimate price to bring us back. Is there some area in your life in which you gave up hope? God is the perfect King for the job. He never lacks resources nor does he lack the willingness. It’s time to return our treasures to his house so that they will be restored.
7 Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. 8 Cyrus king of Persia brought these out in the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. … All these did Sheshbazzar bring up when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.
