I walk past ruins daily. Almost every street of the city holds destroyed houses, burnt buildings and shattered windows. In some areas, mounds of rocks, bricks and rubble block the pedestrian area of a sidewalk. In others, holes in fences show the places where bullets pierced through fresh paint. The atmosphere is heavy in these dark, empty streets. 

Yet here and there, yellow vests of construction workers change the scenery. With each passing day, the exterior of the building they work on changes. Bricks take the place of exposed holes and new paint covers old scars. Yellow vests bring in new concrete, new wood, new material, and I watch as the building transforms before my very eyes. That which was recently ruined by a missile - takes form once again; as if shining a beacon of hope for the tired and weary citizens of the war-torn country. 

Living in war has made it easier to imagine what Israel lived through back then. I can feel the fatigue of the Israelite mothers, the pain of the injured, the hopelessness of the sick. I can hear the cries of the children and see the downcast faces of the men. The nation’s plight was heavy as they reaped the harvest of years of disobedience, pride, and sin. 

Until a “yellow vest” of hope appeared.

God spoke to Ezekiel, promising to gather the nation and rebuild what was ruined. He would give them a new heart and new spirit; replacing the heart of stone with a heart of flesh. (Ez. 36:26-27) 

And even though Israel didn’t deserve it, God offered a transformation deep and profound. He was true to His promises. For the sake of His holy name, He brought up, rebuilt, and transformed. 

Hope after many dark years of hopelessness, for the sake of His holy name.