Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Jeremiah 30:1-18, Job l2:25
To be restored is to return to previous state. It is the re-establishment of someone to his/her original condition or state and sometimes the final condition may be superior to his/her original state. It is to make alterations in our lives so that we can be in resemblance with the perfect pattern of the word of God.
Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Hence God's restorative work began with Jesus Christ whom He sent to restore us back to Him as in Acts 3:21. The Lord said in Jeremiah 30:3, "The days are coming declares The Lord, when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess." Also the Lord said in Jeremiah 30:17-18, "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds. I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwellings." The above passages confirm God's promises on restoring people back to their original state.
With God, opportunity lost can be regained because He is in the business of restoration. The Bible says in Joel 2:25, "And I will restore to you the years that the Locust hath eaten, the Cankerworm, and the Caterpillar, and the Palmerworm; my great army which I sent among you."
Brethren, whatever needs to be restored in your life can be restored. God told Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." God made it clear here what we need to do to be restored and His willingness to restore us. Is life ebbing out of your body? Have you backslidden? Is your relationship broken? It can be restored. Your health, position, fortune, wealth, relationships, spiritual life and many other things can be restored.
The Bible admonishes us in Galatians 6:1 to restore our fallen brothers. It says, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently." God has promised to restore us and some people have benefitted apart from the collective restoration which Jesus offered to us.
Let us consider some of those whom God restored in the Scriptures: Job, King Nebuchadnezzar, The Prodigal Son, Lazarus, and Jairus daughter.
Restoration of Job - Job 42:10-16
Job was known in the scripture to be blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned sheep, camels, yoke of oxen and donkeys, and many servants. He was the greatest among the people of the East. Job was noted for purifying his seven sons and three daughters regularly and sacrificing a burnt offering for each of them.
Job was known in the scripture to be blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned sheep, camels, yoke of oxen and donkeys, and many servants. He was the greatest among the people of the East. Job was noted for purifying his seven sons and three daughters regularly and sacrificing a burnt offering for each of them.
But the day all his children were feasting at the oldest brother's house, satan struck and they all died as the four corners of the house collapsed on them. That same day his Sheep, Camels, Oxen and Donkey were destroyed with some of his Servants. So Job lost all his children and material possession through various calamities. But God restored Job and his restoration gives us hope.
In verses 10,12,13& 16, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. And he also had seven sons and three daughters and nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job's daughters. “After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation."
God can restore your wealth, possessions and even make your life more fulfilled and prosperous.
Restoration of King Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel 4:1-37
King Nebuchadnezzar fell from glory to shame and from grain to grass due to pride, worshiping of idols and image of gold, wickedness and oppression. His royal authority was taken away from him; he was driven away from people to live among the wild animals and to eat grass like cattle. But the king was restored when he acknowledged that heaven rules and the supremacy of the most High God. His sanity was restored, he was re-established in his kingdom, honour and splendour were added to him and glory of his kingdom was also restored. He acknowledged this in verse 26 when he said, "I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before."
Brethren, acknowledging God for whom He is can attract restoration.
King Nebuchadnezzar fell from glory to shame and from grain to grass due to pride, worshiping of idols and image of gold, wickedness and oppression. His royal authority was taken away from him; he was driven away from people to live among the wild animals and to eat grass like cattle. But the king was restored when he acknowledged that heaven rules and the supremacy of the most High God. His sanity was restored, he was re-established in his kingdom, honour and splendour were added to him and glory of his kingdom was also restored. He acknowledged this in verse 26 when he said, "I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before."
Brethren, acknowledging God for whom He is can attract restoration.
Restoration of the prodigal son - Luke 15:1-32
The restoration of the prodigal son as told by our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrates God's willingness to welcome and to restore us. He was the younger of the two sons of his father and he demanded for his own share of his father's estate. He collected his share and left home. He squandered his wealth in wild and extravagant living and suffered. When he came back to his senses he decided to come back to his father with a repentant heart and humility. He said in verses 18-19, "I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." The father was quick to welcome him for he was filled with compassion for him. The Bible says in verses 22-24, "But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate for this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found." So they started the celebration.
The restoration of the prodigal son as told by our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrates God's willingness to welcome and to restore us. He was the younger of the two sons of his father and he demanded for his own share of his father's estate. He collected his share and left home. He squandered his wealth in wild and extravagant living and suffered. When he came back to his senses he decided to come back to his father with a repentant heart and humility. He said in verses 18-19, "I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." The father was quick to welcome him for he was filled with compassion for him. The Bible says in verses 22-24, "But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate for this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found." So they started the celebration.
Brethren, God is ready to have you back and restore you after you might have wandered away or gone astray. But like the prodigal son, repentance and humility will open door of restoration to you.
Restoration of Lazarus – John 11:1-44
Restoration of Lazarus reassures us of the fact that if Jesus steps into our situation, life can be restored. Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days before Jesus got to his sisters who had been anxious and eager to have Jesus come to them earlier. Jesus moved near the tomb and the Bible says in verses 43-44, "Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Restoration of Lazarus reassures us of the fact that if Jesus steps into our situation, life can be restored. Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days before Jesus got to his sisters who had been anxious and eager to have Jesus come to them earlier. Jesus moved near the tomb and the Bible says in verses 43-44, "Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
The intervention of Jesus Christ brought Lazarus back to life. His sisters sought Jesus for help and they found. Seek Him too.
Restoration of Jairus daughter – Mark 5:35-43
Jesus was around the square when people came to inform Jairus, the synagogue ruler, that his daughter was dead. Jesus followed Jairus home with three of his disciples. The Bible says in verse 41, "Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!” which means "Little girl, I say to you get up." Immediately the girl stood up and walked around.
Jesus was around the square when people came to inform Jairus, the synagogue ruler, that his daughter was dead. Jesus followed Jairus home with three of his disciples. The Bible says in verse 41, "Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!” which means "Little girl, I say to you get up." Immediately the girl stood up and walked around.
Brethren, whatever needs to be restored in your life can still be restored because the restorer of old is still alive and doing the work of restoration. Your lost fortune, broken relationship, sanity, health, spiritual life, your anointing and even life can be regained. No wonder David pleaded with God in Psalm 51:11 to restore to him the joy of his salvation.
Conditions that can attract restoration:
- Repentance - Luke 15:18
- Humility Luke - 15:19
- Seeking Jesus - John 11:3
- Prayer - 2 Chronicles7:14
- Acknowledging the Supremacy of God - Daniel 4:26
- Pleading for it - Psalm 51:11
- Believe the word and total surrender to Jesus - John 11:32
Advantages of restoration
- You have hope in God that you are not written off. Daniel 4:26
- You are filled with joy and gladness. Psalm 14:7
- Songs of thanksgiving and sound of rejoicing will come from you Jeremiah 30:19
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I thank you for the restorative work which began with Jesus Christ whom you sent to us. Father, whatever needs to be restored in my life, please restore in the name of Jesus. Amen
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