O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires…
Isaiah 54:11 KJV
Continue Isaiah 54:11–12
…and I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
Isaiah 54:11–12 KJV
Introduction
When we hear the phrase “no expense spared,” we understand it to mean spending lavishly without restriction— making something of the highest quality, with no cutting corners. It means a willingness to pay any price necessary to achieve the best outcome.
In the same way, everything belongs to the Lord: the earth, the fullness thereof, the silver, the gold, the cattle on a thousand hills. Our God is willing to rebuild us when we have fallen, failed, or even ruined parts of our lives by our own choices— and He will spare no expense.
Today Is a Day of Restoration
As we approach the end of the year, many of us look to January 1st as a “fresh start.” But the Lord is encouraging you today: tomorrow is not promised. If you feel your life is in ruins, God is willing to rebuild you today. Do not wait for next month or another “start date.” Today is the day of rebuilding and restoration.
The children of Israel were in a hard place because of their disobedience and idolatry. They were in exile, but only for a season. Scripture explains that God allowed their suffering because they would not walk in His ways nor obey His law. But even though God had forsaken them “for a moment,” He would gather them back in mercy— and He will do the same for you and me.
The Good Shepherd Draws Us Back
How many times, as sheep in God’s pasture, have we wandered away from the Good Shepherd?
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:14 KJV
How often have the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life caused us to stray—leading us into ruin?
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12 KJV
But God—rich in kindness and mercy—draws us back. Just as He promised Israel that He would rebuild them with sapphires and precious stones, He will spare no expense in rebuilding us.
The Ultimate Expense Paid
The ultimate, greatest expense was the price of our salvation. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Jesus paid the ultimate price at Calvary. We should have been the ones on the cross, but He died in our place.
When I think of His mercy, I remember that just as God promised Israel to remove their shame and restore them— as a loving husband restores his wife— He promises to do the same for us.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22–23 KJV
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psalm 103:11–13 KJV
Built on a Glorious Foundation
God is the One who rebuilds and restores for His glory. We have been through storms— some of our own making, some caused by others. Regardless, the God we serve will divinely intervene. He will have mercy on us just as He did on Israel.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV
The prophet used the imagery of precious stones to describe how God would restore Israel. We too are recipients of a glorious foundation.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV
We are no longer strangers or foreigners, but members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, … but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
1 Peter 1:18–19 KJV
The Builder Will Spare No Expense
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 KJV
He will mend our broken lives and turn our ashes into beauty because He has work for us to do. As long as there is breath in your body— even on a sickbed—there is purpose.
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 30:17 KJV
People may accuse, criticize, or point out your failures, but Scripture says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
God rebuilds us through His Word. He reminds us that all things work together for good, that He loves us with an everlasting love, and that we can call upon Him and He will answer.
This Builder—our Lord and Savior—spares no expense. He loves you. He engraved you on the palms of His hands. He will never leave or forsake you. Even when you feel unqualified or worthless, God says, “You matter to Me.”
For I am the LORD, I change not.
Malachi 3:6 KJV
What He did for Israel, He will do for you. He is unchanging, faithful, and committed to finishing the work He started in you.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 KJV
He will rebuild you with greater worth than sapphires or jewels. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You have access to the throne of grace. You are the bride of Christ, and He is preparing a place for you. That’s how much He loves you.
You will rise from ruin. Tell yourself—God can give me beauty for my ashes. I choose to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I choose to remember God’s faithfulness.