Day Two Hundred Seventy-Eight “From the Ashes”

            Perched along the shore of freshwater Lake Michigan, Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, and the fifth most populated metropolis in all North America.  But in October 8, 1871, a huge conflagration, fed by a period of hot, dry, windy weather, and fueled by the wooden construction prevalent throughout the city, would reduce an area four miles long and one mile wide to ashes.  Following the deadly blaze that killed an estimated 300 people, reconstruction efforts began quickly, spurring economic development and population growth.  A great metropolis would eventually rise from the ashes of that tragic fire.  But no one is more adept at building something wonderful out of the rubble than the King of kings!

            Young Moses was born of Hebrew parents during a perilous time for this sojourning nation.  What had been a haven from famine during Joseph’s day, had morphed into a prison of slavery for God’s children.  The ruling pharaoh had “made their lives bitter with hard bondage…in all matter of service, wherein they served with rigor.” But even that burdensome bondage paled in comparison with a new edict from Pharaoh, for he would order the death of “every son that is born” of the Hebrews.  Once again God would use an ark to save His chosen vessel, and young Moses would find himself adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh. As Moses grows in the privileged household of the ruler over Egypt, he becomes the one man with the position, training, and natural ability to help his people.  But in one foolish, hasty act, he kills an Egyptian and forfeits all advantages he might have had as he flees “from the face of Pharaoh.”

            Moses would have forty long years “in the land of Midian” to consider the lost opportunity that was his life.  How often did he gaze back toward Egypt and ponder the pain of his people, knowing that he plundered his prospect of easing that pain? Moses’ life was in desperate need of reconstruction to be sure, and God alone could salvage the situation.  God would find Moses tending his flocks on “the backside of the desert,” spark a burning-bush debate with him, and recommission Moses with the task of bringing forth the children of Israel out of bondage.  The great “I AM” would take a life reduced to ashes and rebuild a monument of His grace.

            God delights in building lives from ashes and rubble.  Have you given up hope in an area of your life, feeling that God could never salvage the situation?  He can and He will! He desires to create a monument of grace from your ashes.

Psalm 147:3  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

Lord, You take the broken, the wounded, the forsaken, and rebuild lives with the loving grace of God. Thank You for performing that miracle in my life.

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