Restoration

 

What do you think of when you hear the word restore? What comes to my mind is taking an old piece of furniture and making it look new again. Or bringing it back to a useful purpose. Now, I’m not by any stretch of the word a restorer of furniture. I love the idea of taking an old dresser, desk, or chair and bringing it back to a beautiful masterpiece that could be admired in my home for years to come and then handed down to one of my children. They would talk about what a wonderful and special piece it was and how Mom worked so long and hard to create a treasured heirloom to be enjoyed by generations to come. Wait, I’m sorry to say that this is just a dream. Yes, the idea of me restoring a piece of old furniture is very different than someone else doing it for me. I’m not sure if it is a lack of patience, time, or just knowledge, all of which I come up short on! I do know; however, I am not the only one who dreams this dream.

 

At the beginning of each year, I always look forward to hearing from the Holy Spirit what one word he plants in my heart to focus on. It’s typically a word that means a great deal to me and certainly a word or truth I need to study and explore to help me grow spiritually. I’m sure by now you’ve guessed my word this year is RESTORE.

 

The basic definition of the word restore is to bring back or reinstate. Similar words for this verb would be repair, renovate, and refurbish, as in a car, buildings, and furniture. We can also use the word give as if something had been taken away or stolen and then given back.

We can read about God’s desire to restore His people throughout the Old Testament. The attacks were great. Life was hard for the people of Israel. Some of this hardship was from choices they made, and some was from the wickedness around them.

 

David, the writer of Psalm 14:7, was sure of his words when he wrote: Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When the Lord restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

 

David had faith to believe God will rescue and restore. I need faith to believe God can and will rescue and restore what has been taken away from the enemy. That is my first order of business this year: to have faith.

 

In Psalm 30:1-2 David cried out for help, and God restored his health. David rejoiced and exalted the Lord for rescuing him. He knew God refused to let David’s enemies’ triumph over him. Read that again. God refused to let David’s enemies win! That tells me God is on my side and will not stop until the battle has been won!

 

Isaiah 59:11-12 says The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities, and then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and restorer of homes.

 

I rejoice in knowing I am guided in the restoration journey. And not just some of the time but continually as God gives me the strength to endure each circumstance that comes my way. As I go through the process, I will be known as someone who can do hard things, someone who can play a part in a restoration project. That is the kind of mark I want to leave on this earth in years to come. I believe God wants me to join Him through prayer, reading of His Word, showing the love of Jesus, and pushing through with the guidance of the Spirit. I will then have the peace I long for in the rebuilding and renewal process.

 

The Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah chapter 30 verse 3: For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again. I, the Lord, have spoken. Skipping down to verse 18. This is what the Lord says: When I bring Israel home again from captivity and restore their fortunes, Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins and the palace reconstructed as before.

 

God didn’t say a time might be coming when he will restore. He speaks the time will come, and He will bring Israel home again. This prophecy has come to pass primarily through the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile, which is seen as a fulfillment of God’s promise to restore his people. What does this tell me? God keeps His word. He can be trusted! I am trusting my children will return home spiritually to the roots they were brought up on. I can trust God for a rebuild in their hearts. In verse 19, God says there will be joy and songs of thanksgiving, and he will multiply his people, not diminish them; He will honor them and not despise them. What a true picture of Love!

 

Remember I mentioned sometimes the reason we need restored is because of our own doing. Our decisions to do things our own way. Yup, all have sinned and fall short of Gods glorious standard. (Romans 3:23) In Jeremiah 31:18-19 God continues to speak letting His people know he has heard their cries. The Israelites had realized they had sin that needed to go. They were ashamed and felt stupid for all they had done in the past. (paraphrased) God is still willing to work on me, my family and my friends even though we haven’t done everything right. This spells R-e-l-i-e-f to me. Discipline is good for the soul.

 

Hosea, another prophet, is full of encouragement after a tough time. And after repentance comes restoration and renewal.

 

Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time, he will restore us so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or coming of rains in early spring. Chapter 6, verses 1-3: I am encouraged God doesn’t let me or my family hanging. And, of course, His timing is very different than ours. Just like that piece of furniture I desire to restore, it takes time, patience, and a willingness to go through some tough times while we wait. The end results will be new and beautiful.

 

Nahum 2:2 reminds us of this: Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendor. A true picture of Hope for restoration and renewal.

 

John 10:10 says this: The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. And this scripture brings us to the ultimate sacrifice. We are now in the New Testament, where we find two sets of scriptures to wrap up our restoration project.

 

Romans 5:10-11 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

 

1 Peter 5:10-11 In His kindness, God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

 

And there you have it. The ultimate restoration project right before your eyes! Jesus, the great redeemer! The one who did all the real hard work for us. My job here is to believe it, accept it, and confess it. I am so thankful this restoration project is not up to me. Jesus is the expert!

 

Remember these few steps as you seek restoration in your life or the lives of your family and friends

in this new year.

 

Have faith. God refuses to give up. The Holy Spirit guides.

 

God can be trusted. God hears. God disciplines. God brings Hope & Jesus lives!