He Will Restore
Over the last couple of weeks we have experienced the fury of winter storms that have moved across the U.S.. They have brought with them tremendous destruction and devastation. Homes and businesses have been destroyed and people’s lives have been turned upside down. Israel had experienced devastation because of the Lord’s response to their disobedience and apostasy. But with their repentance, God promised restoration to the land and to the people. His mighty act of restoration would serve to remind Israel that they are his people whom He loves and cares for. This week, may you be reminded in whatever you are going through, God loves and cares for you…and He will provide restoration for you.
Fear not, O land;
Be glad and rejoice,
For the LORD has done marvelous things!
Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field;
For the open pastures are springing up,
And the tree bears its fruit;
The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the LORD your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully,
And He will cause the rain to come down for you—
The former rain,
And the latter rain in the first month.
The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (Joel 2:21-24)
Israel had witnessed the devastation to their land and the effects it had on them and their animals who also depended on the surrounding vegetation. But now, in the midst of the devastation, God told them to rejoice and be glad. Why? Because the God who had a history of doing marvelous things for His people, was about to restore what had been totally destroyed. He would send the Spring and Autumn rains and the crops and fruit would come back. And not just come back, but come back so abundantly that the threshing floors would be full and the wine vats would overflow! We can rejoice even in our troubles, because we serve a God who can restore to us in abundance.
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame. (Joel 2:25-26)
God’s promised restoration would give His people a future despite the years of devastation and destruction that He had caused to happen to them because of their rejection and disobedience. They would go from scarcity to plenty and they would respond by praising the Lord, having realized that He alone is God. When all your resources have dried up, you begin to see more clearly who your real source is.
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the LORD your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame. (Joel 2:27)
God said that Israel’s repentance would not just restore their land, it would restore God’s presence among them. It would also restore their understanding that He alone is God. And those who trusted in Him as their God would not be ashamed of believing in Him. He will not leave us ashamed of worshipping Him and trusting in Him.
Is there something that you have lost? Have you been living in the devastation of that loss? We serve a God who is able to restore our joy and cause us to be glad again. He wants us to proclaim Him as our Lord without shame. Whatever it is that we have lost, He will marvelously restore us in abundance with something that will cause us to rejoice and to serve Him. His restoration will cause us to see Him more clearly and love Him more dearly as the divine, righteous and gracious presence in our lives. Whatever you have lost, fear not. Instead, pick your head up, square your shoulders and look to your help. Your help comes from the Lord who made all heaven and earth. Trust in Him… for He will restore you!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
Listen as Marvin Winans, Marvin Sapp, Randy Short sing “For I Have Heard Your Cry”
