We Will Rebuild

The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel ...
who say with pride and arrogance of heart,
"The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone;
the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars."
Isaiah 9:8-10 (NIV)

Everything is dependent not on man's will or endeavour, but upon God who has mercy. For the Scripture said to Pharaoh, "It is for this very purpose that I have lifted you so high—that I may make manifest in you my power, and that my name may be proclaimed far and wide in all the earth." ~ Romans 9:16-17 (WNT)

You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?" On the contrary, who are you—mere man that you are—to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?" A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he?
Romans 9:19-21 (ISV)

Suppose for a moment that God has allowed the present economic distress for His own purpose. Suppose bailout efforts resist His will, defiantly retorting, "The bricks have fallen ... trees have been felled [but] ... we will rebuild ... we will replace."

If there's bitter medicine to swallow, why not get it over with and move on. Why resist the inevitable? Why draw out consequences? Why repeat painful lessons? When a mistake is made—and absent repentance—it seems downright impudent to even think, "We will rebuild" unless God so blesses.

We need frequent reminders that we neither belong to ourselves nor control our circumstances. We are created—owned by Another who loves us more than we can comprehend, and who is in control.

Whether we are lifted up or brought low, our first purpose is to glorify Him; to make His name known and His power manifest.

Almighty God, You alone are God. You alone are exalted. Please help us know Your will and cooperate with it. Please help us accept the trials and tests You use to refine us and make us more desirable to You. Please give us wisdom to respond as glorifies and pleases You.

"Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." ~ Jesus

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy