Restore
Joel 2:25-32 (NKJV) “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. 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.
Restoration
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
res·to·ra·tion
/ˌrestəˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.
the return of a hereditary monarch to a throne, a head of state to government, or a regime to power.
Most of us can remember all the things we have lost in this life. For those of us who have experienced tragedy, the list might be in the forefront of our minds. We reminisce. We remember, and sometimes we regret. Loss has a way of bringing up all sorts of emotions, but how do we feel when we experience restoration? How do we feel when the claim check is in the mail? How do we feel when we buy another house? How do we feel when we get a second chance to get right? God is a restorer. He is a God of restoration. For everything you have lost, you should have an expectation of God. God is a God of more than enough. There are countless stories of restoration in the bible. My favorite is Job, a strong second is Elijah and the widow. Take time to focus on God’s word and ask for restoration in your life. What do you need God to restore?
Construction
If you live anywhere near a major city, you understand how frustrating construction can be to your daily commute. You either choose to sit through the traffic delays, or you find an alternative route. Both options can be unnerving. Construction is the result of something being broken, damaged, or in need of repair. Construction is also the result of progress and forward movement. It is a sign of a thriving city filled with new opportunities and in many cases new highways. Think of yourself as this thriving city. You are the result of progress and forward movement, and because of this you need a better infrastructure. You have a few potholes in need of repair. You need a better mode of transportation. You need a better form of communication. Don't get frustrated with the construction. You have two options. You can be patient through the process, or you can find a detour. Both will get you to your destination, but the journey will differ. Construction is a necessary process in order to thrive.
Restoration
Complete restoration includes not only repair of the visible parts, but also the parts that are not visible to the naked eye. Some repairs are cosmetic while others or not. A full evaluation of the damage or deterioration needs to done in order to determine the process in which something is restored. Many of us have sustained damage. We have normal wear and tear. We have endured things that have deteriorated our confidence and our spirit. We need restoration. We need to evaluate our damage and determine the best process to begin our restoration. For some of us, it will be a spiritual journey or visiting a mental health professional. For others, it may be renewing that gym membership. Whatever path you need to take to experience restoration, make the first step today.
Joel 2:25(KJV) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.