Tales of the Restoration Part X: Power and Promise for Rebuilding

No matter how badly your life needs rebuilding, you have a God who has both the resources and the commitment to take the rubble and use it to build something truly beautiful. 


Some time back, as I was praying about the restoration of broken people, broken families, and broken lives, my own included, I noticed startling similarities between the way Nehemiah begins his prayer in Nehemiah 1:5-11 and the way the apostle Peter, centuries later, begins his book 2 Peter 1:3 -4.
Both begin by reminding us of God's power. Compare "Oh Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God..." in Nehemiah, with "His divine power...his own glory and goodness." in 2 Peter.

Both Nehemiah and Peter move on to remember the way God treats us:

Nehemiah: "who keeps covenant an steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments."

2 Peter: "(he) has given us everything needed for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us...his precious and very great promises.

So, taking our cues from both Nehemiah and Peter, one key to rebuilding in life is knowledge of God. Start by acknowledging who he is.

I recommend reading this list from the two passages very slowly. Pause after each word. Think about it, create a mental picture, connect it to something tangible.

Start with power. What is the most powerful thing you can think of? A hurricane? A tidal wave? gravity? God is far more powerful. Now take your time as you move through the rest of the list. 

• power
• glory
• goodness
• great
• awesome

Now, that you have an inkling of how really big God is, continue by slowly focusing on how he relates to us.

• calling
• keeping covenant/promises
• steadfast love
• giving everything needed for life

Now take a deep breath and relax. You are in good hands.