Restoration Is Coming To You

Joel 2:25 NIV - I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.

If Jesus promises an abundant life ...

 Why does the path traveled ... involve so much loss?

 Why? To make room for restoration.

Throughout history, God has allowed His people and their nations to experience loss and devastation.

Oftentimes we think we're on the path to abundance, then suddenly we’re served up a curveball, a vicious detour leading to a place where everything gets shattered.

We experience life’s shock and awe.

But our God will take what is broken, and put it back together better than before.

That's what abundance is.

A better way. A better future. A better life.

The glue of God’s love will mend what was shattered and make it stronger than before.

His restoration creates abundance.

This is His promise to you.

From Joel 2:19, 25 … Psalm 71:20-21 … Job 42:12 … and Zechariah 9:12

- The Lord replied to them

- I am sending you grain

- New wine and olive oil

- Enough to satisfy you fully

- Never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations

- I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten

- Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter

- You will restore my life again

- From the depths of the earth you will again bring me up

- You will increase my honor and comfort me once more

- The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part

- Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope

- Even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

Throughout scripture we see this pattern over and over.

Satan roams the earth looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil.

Whether self-inflicted or by no fault of your own, evil is what’s behind the devastation.

Jesus said satan came to kill, steal and destroy.

Yet He assures us that He has come so you would have an abundant life.

Friend, you may have gone through the fire, your bones may be dry, but the Words of Jesus are breathing new life into you.

They prophesy to you — rise up and stand.

Jesus allowed the death of Lazarus for a resurrection opportunity.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

When my ten year old son Alec died unexpectedly, God assured me he was more alive in heaven, than he ever was on earth.

Full restoration. Better than before.

So do we have to wait until heaven for God to answer His promises?

Most of God’s promises will be answered on earth. Yet some will be manifested in heaven.

FYI … No one in heaven is complaining about being there.

Whatever you have gone through, whatever your loss, God will pick up your broken pieces.

When He’s finished restoring you — you’ll have double for your trouble.

Your latter will be greater than your former.

Keep walking. Keep trusting. Restoration is in your future.

-Gerald