Restoration: Satan doesn't win

Last Saturday, my husband stuck his head in from the garage and yelled, “I’m getting ready to fix the bird feeder if you want to come take pictures.”

I believe he is also starting to see this ongoing saga of the bird feeder as a tool through which God can teach us.

As I watched him skillfully put the feeder back together, many thoughts wandered through my head. No wonder Jesus used parables to teach His followers; we can learn so much from the world around us!

When the raccoon attacked the bird feeder it fell apart. When Satan attacks our church – or any other aspect of our lives – we fall apart. But God’s got it under control. Consider these outcomes with me…

God knows what to do

It may seem simple to some, but I wouldn’t know the best way to put the feeder back together. My husband, on the other hand, didn’t think twice. Knowing what to do, he just did it. Likewise, God “understands how weak we are; He knows we are only dust” (Psalm 103:14 NLT).

God can bring out the power tools

If I tried to fix the bird feeder myself, I would have painstakingly tried to nail the pieces back together with a hammer and small nails. I would have smashed my thumb a few times. I probably would’ve split the wood when I did get the nail in. My husband didn’t even mess with a hammer. He pulled out the power tools and got the job done. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

God can rebuild stronger that before

Some factory poorly constructed the bird feeder; they fastened it together with short, weak pins that easily bend and don’t have a head to hold them in. When my husband reconstructed the birdhouse, he used longer, thicker, and stronger nails that will hold it together much better. “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28).

God restores what was lost through the hard times

Do you remember the pictures of the shattered bird feeder in the last article? You might have noticed that no food was scattered among the crash. When I first noticed the lack of food in the mess, I thought, “The bird feeder must have been empty when the raccoon got it.” Then, I realized that was kind of an, uh, not so bright thought. There was no birdseed in the mess because the raccoon had eaten it.

Satan doesn’t go after an empty church. He only attacks churches filled with seeds of life! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (Romans 15:13). “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again” (Psalm 71:20).

God’s timing is perfect in putting our mess back together

My husband rebuilt the bird feeder on a sunny, warm day. My daughter took this picture this morning – only two days after my husband hung the feeder. Everything may be going great but we never know when the next storm is going to come. God prepares us to be ready at exactly the right time. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Click here to read the first parts of the bird feeder saga:

This is for the Birds(Part 1)

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner(Part 2)

I Don't Want to Eat Like a Bird(Part 3)

Looking for Someone to Devour(Part 4)