GOD’S WORDS OF RESTORATION

“So I WILL RESTORE to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” – Joel 2:25a

Nothing in creation can defy GOD’S WORDS of RESTORATION: “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” (Joel 2: 25-26). In the days of Prophet Joel, a blight of swarming locusts swept across the southern kingdom of Judah, devastating fig trees, barley fields, and vineyards. They consumed the crops that dotted the countryside, and crippled the economy, until God’s Word of Restoration came!

Locusts travel at tremendous speeds, and are most known for their ferocious appetite. A swarm of locust resembles a black cloud moving over the landscape, stripping every green plant of their vegetation, including eating the bark off the trees. These agents of devastation leave nothing behind. Joel 1:4 describes the total devastation that occurred around Jerusalem, “What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; and what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.” The lush, green landscape had been ravaged. That’s the kind of scenario of utter desolation and hopelessness that God’s Words were released to rescue and restore!

Locusts come in various types: chewing, swarming, crawling, and consuming. Interestingly enough, this picture of the deplorable state of the land of Judah also resembles the condition of spiritual life of many people and the situation of many hearts. There are locusts in life that eat up opportunities, dry up time, wreck relationships, and gnaw at our reputation; others eat away innocence, contentment, joy, and peace of mind. At times, God Himself allows the locusts into our lives, in which case they are His “great army” (v.25b). The trouble the nation had experienced was a wake-up call from God. Trials teach vital lessons and can help to stretch and strengthen our faith. Other locusts which derive from the evil in the world as aftermath of Adam’s sin include: abuse, disease, persecution, and diverse demonic attacks. Some locusts are self-inflicted!

Whatever may be the source of the locusts, what matters is to trust the Lord to repair the damage and restore all things! God is both Creator of the Universe and the Restorer of ALL THINGS: “and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3: 20-21). For different folks, there are different regrets in life: childhood errors; failed marriage; childhood errors; wasted business or ministry opportunities; special promptings ignored; pain caused loved ones; and slipped openings to witness for Christ. It doesn’t matter what caused the damage, the exciting and thrilling promise is that all can be fully restored. The reason for loss is irrelevant to the restoration God wants to work.

Here are four things – among diverse others – which God’s Words of Restoration specifically address:

God restores souls: “HE RESTORES my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake” (Psa. 23:3).

God restores the Joy of Salvation: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psa.51:12). If it were not possible, King David would not have requested for the restoration of the Joy of Salvation.

God restores Health: “For I WILL RESTORE HEALTH to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; no one seeks her”’ (Jer.30: 17).

God restores Times and Seasons: “So I will restore to you the years…” (v.25a).

God’s Words promise Total Restoration to all whose lives belong to Him! God who restored Moses to leadership, Samson to strength and victory, Job to health and wealth, and Peter to ministry, will restore all things in our lives, in Jesus name!