Sunday, 9 August 2026

God the Rebuilder

“I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their cities.” — Jeremiah 33:7

In September 2020, fire gutted the iconic Makerere University tower and brought it down. As painful as the loss was, that terrible event created an opportunity to rebuild a stronger, more beautiful, and modern tower, which was opened to the public in October 2024. What began as a tragedy ended as a triumph.

Sometimes, for God to create something more enduring in our lives, the old foundations must first be destroyed. Out of the ruins of the old fallen structure comes a new and more powerful tower of strength.

The Bible offers many examples where God rebuilt something more lasting out of ruins: Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem after gathering the scattered people of God. When the walls were restored, he declared: “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. But after returning from exile, God stirred the people to rebuild it. Once the altar and temple foundations were laid, “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: ‘He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.’ And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” (Ezra 3:11, NIV)

And Job lost his children, possessions, and livelihood when the enemy attacked him. His life seemed completely shattered. Yet God eventually restored him: “And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends.” (Job 42:10)

Perhaps you have passed through a season of loss. You may have lost property. It could even be a loved one. Your fortune might have disappeared after some miscalculation. Maybe robbers outright snatched what was yours. A job might have been stolen.

Do not despair. As we see, God often uses destruction as a chance to rebuild something more beautiful and enduring. Your loss can turn into gain. So do not lose heart—start praising God for the new work He is going to rebuild out of the ruins into something more beautiful and lasting. “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:4–6)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, loss of anything of value is never easy, and one can feel crushed. But You are the Rebuilder. That is why, instead of looking down, I look up to You to rebuild these fallen walls into something more beautiful and enduring—for Your glory! This I pray in Jesus’ name!