Restoration
As we read through the Old Testament, we know the nation of Israel goes through cycles with their relationship with God. First, they praise and worship Him for delivering them from their previous situation. But as they enjoy the blessings of His deliverance, they begin to forget who provided those blessings and begin to worship other gods, giving them the credit for what only God did. God warns the people to turn from their evil ways; and when they don’t, God allows their enemies to come in and persecute or even capture them. Then the Israelites cry out to God to deliver them, and He eventually does.
Joel 1:8-12 NLT
“Weep like a bride dressed in black, mourning the death of her husband. For there is no grain or wine to offer at the Temple of the Lord. So the priests are in mourning. The ministers of the Lord are weeping. The fields are ruined, the land is stripped bare. The grain is destroyed, the grapes have shriveled, and the olive oil is gone. Despair, all you farmers! Wail, all you vine growers! Weep, because the wheat and barley— all the crops of the field—are ruined. The grapevines have dried up, and the fig trees have withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees— all the fruit trees—have dried up. And the people’s joy has dried up with them.”
Reading through the book of Joel, we see that God has stripped everything away from the Israelites. There is no grain, no seed, no harvest, no hope. So the people cry out to God:
Joel 1:19-20 NLT
“Lord, help us! The fire has consumed the wilderness pastures, and flames have burned up all the trees. Even the wild animals cry out to you because the streams have dried up, and fire has consumed the wilderness pastures.”
But Joel goes on to say that this is not the worst of it:
Joel 2:1-2 NLT
“Sound the trumpet in Jerusalem! Raise the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us. It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army appears. Nothing like it has been seen before or will ever be seen again.”
I love watching home renovation shows, where someone takes a room, a floor, or even a whole house and makes it brand new and even more efficient for their specific needs. But before they get to the brand new, more efficient space, they typically have to tear all the old out and get it down to the bare structure. It always looks rough during the process. Renovation and restoration are messy processes.
I don’t know about you, but there have been times when God has had to stop me in my tracks and tear down everything I have built around myself – the situations I have experienced, or how I have let others define me – to get down to the root of the person HE created and designed me to be. Surrender requires rest, which is easier said than done. Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be a complete gut job, but there are rooms in our lives that we have neglected or allowed others to come in and decorate in a way God never intended.
Journal: What area(s) of your life do you feel God drawing attention to, asking for permission to come renovate?
For us, renovation starts with repentance. And not just “I’m sorry!”, but a true turnaround in our actions, thoughts, and behaviors. God draws us closer to Himself through repentance, just like He did with the Israelites.
Joel 2:12-13 NLT
“That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”
As long as we have breath in our lungs and our heart beats, we always have the opportunity to repent. No one is too far gone that they can’t humble themselves, surrender to God, and repent for their wrong ways.
Just as we have seen in times past, God promises to restore His people:
Joel 2:18-20 NLT
“Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations. I will drive away these armies from the north. I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea, and those at the rear into the Mediterranean. The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.” Surely the Lord has done great things!”
Then we see this promise that we hear a lot in Church:
Joel 2:28-32 NLT
““Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.”
Activation: In your quiet time with the Lord, ask Him what areas of your life need renovation. When He begins revealing those areas, be willing to repent, surrender, and allow Him to speak life and promise into their areas.
Prayer: God, thank You for being a good Father, one who never wants to see His children suffer. I repent for (fill in the blank) and allowing someone or something else to fill the place that only You can fill. I surrender this situation to You. Help me tear out the old so You can replace it with the new. Thank You for all You have done, all You are doing now, and all You are going to do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Joel 1:8-12 NLT
“Weep like a bride dressed in black, mourning the death of her husband. For there is no grain or wine to offer at the Temple of the Lord. So the priests are in mourning. The ministers of the Lord are weeping. The fields are ruined, the land is stripped bare. The grain is destroyed, the grapes have shriveled, and the olive oil is gone. Despair, all you farmers! Wail, all you vine growers! Weep, because the wheat and barley— all the crops of the field—are ruined. The grapevines have dried up, and the fig trees have withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees— all the fruit trees—have dried up. And the people’s joy has dried up with them.”
Reading through the book of Joel, we see that God has stripped everything away from the Israelites. There is no grain, no seed, no harvest, no hope. So the people cry out to God:
Joel 1:19-20 NLT
“Lord, help us! The fire has consumed the wilderness pastures, and flames have burned up all the trees. Even the wild animals cry out to you because the streams have dried up, and fire has consumed the wilderness pastures.”
But Joel goes on to say that this is not the worst of it:
Joel 2:1-2 NLT
“Sound the trumpet in Jerusalem! Raise the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us. It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army appears. Nothing like it has been seen before or will ever be seen again.”
I love watching home renovation shows, where someone takes a room, a floor, or even a whole house and makes it brand new and even more efficient for their specific needs. But before they get to the brand new, more efficient space, they typically have to tear all the old out and get it down to the bare structure. It always looks rough during the process. Renovation and restoration are messy processes.
I don’t know about you, but there have been times when God has had to stop me in my tracks and tear down everything I have built around myself – the situations I have experienced, or how I have let others define me – to get down to the root of the person HE created and designed me to be. Surrender requires rest, which is easier said than done. Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be a complete gut job, but there are rooms in our lives that we have neglected or allowed others to come in and decorate in a way God never intended.
Journal: What area(s) of your life do you feel God drawing attention to, asking for permission to come renovate?
For us, renovation starts with repentance. And not just “I’m sorry!”, but a true turnaround in our actions, thoughts, and behaviors. God draws us closer to Himself through repentance, just like He did with the Israelites.
Joel 2:12-13 NLT
“That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”
As long as we have breath in our lungs and our heart beats, we always have the opportunity to repent. No one is too far gone that they can’t humble themselves, surrender to God, and repent for their wrong ways.
Just as we have seen in times past, God promises to restore His people:
Joel 2:18-20 NLT
“Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations. I will drive away these armies from the north. I will send them into the parched wastelands. Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea, and those at the rear into the Mediterranean. The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land.” Surely the Lord has done great things!”
Then we see this promise that we hear a lot in Church:
Joel 2:28-32 NLT
““Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.”
Activation: In your quiet time with the Lord, ask Him what areas of your life need renovation. When He begins revealing those areas, be willing to repent, surrender, and allow Him to speak life and promise into their areas.
Prayer: God, thank You for being a good Father, one who never wants to see His children suffer. I repent for (fill in the blank) and allowing someone or something else to fill the place that only You can fill. I surrender this situation to You. Help me tear out the old so You can replace it with the new. Thank You for all You have done, all You are doing now, and all You are going to do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
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