Treasure in the Ruins [Day 14]
By Kirsten Coryell
Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands. Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following you, for you have given me the best! The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more, for your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next. Because you are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment. My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure. For you will not abandon me to the realm of death, nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption. For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life, the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you. (Psalm 16:5-11 TPT)
A few nights ago, I curled up on the couch to watch a documentary about an archaeologist in the midst of a lifelong search for the tomb of Alexander the Great. This woman dedicated her entire life to digging up earth in search of ancient treasure. While I watched, I thought of how frustrating it must be for her to show up at the dig site day after day, waiting for a breakthrough in her search, only to find small fragments of history: a small piece of marble, a shard of an old vase, the remains of a small sculpture. It reminded me of how so many of us are feeling as we face the repercussions of COVID-19. We’re all standing among the ruins of things once foundational in our lives, trying to pick up the pieces and hold onto hope that our breakthrough is coming. Maybe you lost your job and you’re not sure how you’re going to pay rent next month. Maybe your kids have been home from school for nearly a month and you’re exhausted. Maybe a loved one is sick or extremely vulnerable and you’re plagued with fear. Still, day after day, you show up at your “dig site” and continue the search for breakthrough—a glimmer of hope among the ruins. Some days you may feel strong, hopeful, and capable; while others you feel defeated, fearful, and weak. I watched this archaeologist continue her search, working long hours digging up massive amounts of earth, to one day stumble upon a statue of Alexander the Great, in perfect condition, that was buried under heaps of rubble for thousands of years. I watched as she wept, danced, and celebrated this little marble figure, a symbol of hope and victory after months and even years of futile searching. I felt so encouraged by the resilience of this archaeologist. She dedicated her life to believing there was treasure underneath the surface and never gave up hope that she would find it.
It reminded me of the hope we have in Jesus. It reminded me, like it says in Psalm 16, that He is our prize and our portion forever. Even amidst the ruins in our lives, we can be confident in Jesus. In fact, He’s standing in our ruins with us! Day after day, as we show up in our lives, doing our best and clinging to hope, He is there. “Because you are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.”
Today I encourage you to pray Psalm 16 over yourself. I encourage you to let these words anchor you in peace, knowing that Jesus is drawing near to you, whatever you may be facing. He is the giver of good gifts: wisdom, confidence, joy, life! As you go about your day, let Jesus be your prize and your portion. Ask Him for what you need with the confidence that He is leading you to your breakthrough.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your presence. Thank You that You draw near to me in the midst of my ruins. You see my tears, my pain, and my struggle, and You enter into it with me. Thank You that I can place my confidence in You, even when I can’t see the breakthrough. I ask that You would draw near to me today, as You promise to in Your word. I pray that as I choose You alone as my prize and my portion, You would rebuild the ruins around me and provide everything that I need. I trust You, Jesus. Amen!
