I write this blog for anyone who is looking in hope to God that he might might turn things round for them, and give them a brighter future.
It says
in Joel 2:25 that God will restore the years of our life that have been lost
and seemingly wasted through our own folly and carelessness, and where we were set
aside, even afflicted or troubled through his dealing with us. (Joel 2:25)
The
prophet identifies the hand of God being behind our inability to go anywhere in
our spiritual lives and in our physical circumstances. He shows that it was God’s
army of troublesome things and afflictions that prevented us from obtaining the
blessings that should otherwise have come to us. Reading through the whole
chapter of Joel 2, we see that when God’s people are ready to repent and put
things right with God, then the promise of showers of blessings is only a few
steps away.
God says
that he will restore those years that were lost in troubles and distresses, in
trying to combat insurmountable difficulties, and many due to our own folly and
stubbornness. Those times were not necessarily the troubling of the devil, but according to the scripture we have read above, it was God's mighty army of problems and setbacks that were sent against us to stop us in our tracks, and ultimately to bring us back to where we should be.
As the
old hymn says, ‘When we walk with the Lord, in the light of his Word, what a
glory he sheds on our way. When we do his good will, he abides with us still;
and with all who will trust and obey. So, trust and obey, for there’s no other
way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.’
God can
and will restore the years that the locust has eaten. He will bring it back,
give it back, and give us an expected end – a fulfilling and fruitful future –
better than we ever have had, even in our beginnings! (Jeremiah 29:11)
How many
years have you lost through whatever has been a hindrance or due to backsliding
or disobedience to God’s call on your life?
When we
return to the Lord with all of our hearts, then God will return in glory and
power to us, and we will see his mighty hand at work in our lives and in the
ministry he has called us to. (Zechariah 1:3)
Surely
this time is a time of merciful restoration, quite undeserved, but flying on
the wings of grace from the throne of God.
Do not
miss out in the day of grace by hardening your heart to the message of God to
those who believe on his name. His promise is sure, and in this world of great
trouble and the judgment upon the nations, let us call upon his name for mercy and a
full restoration of those wasted years.
God is in the business of restoration and healing. 'He restoreth my soul.' (Psalm 23:3)
