The Holy Spirit not only has the power to heal and deliver, but also the power to restore. The Lord is constantly seeking after us to restore us unto Himself. Jesus died on the cross so that we might be restored unto the Lord.
God promises that He will restore:
– the time stolen by the enemy (Joel 2:25)
– our health (Jeremiah 30:17)
– our fortunes that have been taken (Deuteronomy 30:3)
– our honour (Psalm 71:21)
– etc
Loss affects us emotionally. It results in depression, despair, regrets and a sense of failure. But no matter where you find yourself today, God is able to restore what has been lost!
Knowing that God is doing a work of restoration adds more joy in this season of abundant harvest. Sorrow may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Nehemiah, in the midst of the battle, declared “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8).
Everything the Israelites had was ruined. The fields, ground, grain, oil and wine; the harvest was destroyed. There was a famine in the land and the joy of the people had been taken away (Joel 1:10-12). But The Lord promises the Israelites restoration of the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:24-25)!
Worldly restoration puts something back to its original form but Godly restoration means we will receive better than the original.
Steps to Restoration:
1. Repentance – God wants us to repent and turn from our of sin before He brings the restoration. Repentance is the core of the gospel (2 Chronicles 7:14) and it positions us for restoration.
2. Step forward – Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand to “step forward” (Mark 3:1-6) in faith for complete & perfect restoration to take place! God is calling us to step forward from our ‘sitting’ position (it could be religion, disappointment, shame, fear) and receive restoration.
3. Rest – Be still and know the He is God (Psalm 46:10). God is calling us to rest in His promises, in His Word and in the finished work of the cross. Rest means do nothing. Don’t try in your own strength and abilities. Rest in Him and you will see the fullness of God’s restoration in your life