Restoration There is a certain knack and ability that goes into the restoration process. Seeing past the present state of decline or disrepair to what something was designed to be or capable of becoming requires imagination, creativity, and the resources to make happen what is seen there. The capacity to do fulfill this restoration process usually comes from a source other than the one who has overseen the demise. A fresh perspective and experience with producing this renewal will necessarily come from outside the status quo. There is a need for a practiced Restorer. Recent reality shows have presented scenarios like this, where a home has become run down and to the point of complete removal. The show’s personalities come in, and with dramatic flair, knock out/build walls, design new features and applications that completely transform the look and feel, and, from what might have been lost altogether, create something of great value and hope. Of course, the original owners are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the abundance of investment in ability and resources that has made this great contribution to their lives. The best of this experience, though, isn’t just in the reception of the restoration, but of a revelation of this same approach to every other area of needed renewal. In life there are many different areas of potential degradation that may reach a point of apparent hopelessness. Health, relationships, governments, finances, and personal hopes and dreams are often in need of a perspective that is above the current one and rich with experience and resources for dealing with this kind of thing. In the redemption of Christ there is a very proactive approach from the Creator of the Universe, the One who has the most proven and referenced resume of any restorer. He promises to not just return all that was lost or damaged, but restore it to a completely renewed condition. In complete submission of any needed care to His offer of personal involvement, there is activation of His creative ability and endless resources. As He is given exclusive restoration rights, there is certainty of overwhelming joy with each progression of His design and completed plans. With each revelation of His working will also come the greatest restorations of all, faith and hope in His ability to do far above what we could ever imagine on our own. Notes When it appears that all is lost – God response: Jeremiah 15:16-20 (NLT) 16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. 17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins. 18 Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.” 19 This is how the LORD responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! 20 They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the LORD, have spoken! With unveiled restoration - celebration Psalm 126:1-6 [1] A song of the stairway It was like a dream come true when you freed us from our bondage and brought us back to Zion! [2] We laughed and laughed and overflowed with gladness. We were left shouting for joy and singing your praise. All the nations saw it and joined in, saying, “The Lord has done great miracles for them!” [3] Yes, he did mighty miracles and we are overjoyed! [4] Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again. [5] Those who sow their tears as seeds will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee. [6] They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing! All in Christ Colossians 1:20 (TPT) 20 And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again! Joy Proverbs 12:25 [25] Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to RESTORE joy to the heart. Law and order Proverbs 28:2 [2] A rebellious nation is thrown into chaos, but leaders anointed with wisdom will RESTORE law and order. Health Isaiah 38:16 [16] Lord, it is because of your kindness that life is given. It is in you that my spirit lives. Now RESTORE my health and give me life again! Strength Isaiah 58:11 [11] Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually RESTORE strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing. Innocence Colossians 1:20 [20] And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself-back to its original intent, RESTORED to innocence again! Twice Zechariah 9:12 says, “Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will RESTORE twice as much to you.” Everything lost Deuteronomy 30:3-5 3 God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he'll have compassion on you; he'll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered. 4 No matter how far away you end up, God, your God, will get you out of there 5 and bring you back to the land your ancestors once possessed. It will be yours again. He will give you a good life and make you more numerous than your ancestors. God’s chosen fast – time of restoration/becoming a restorer Isaiah 58:5-14 (NKJV) 5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. 13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, 14 Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Abundance – over and above “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. ... You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed” (Joel 2:25-26). Overview: When it appears that nothing of value is left, there is a God response of promised restoration. Restoration is the renewing, rebuilding, recovery to much more than the original. In the unveiling of His work there are celebrations of joy and gladness in fulfilled life. For every area of perceived loss, there is assurance of restoration. In the reception of God’s creativity and abundant resources is the greatest restoration – purpose. In submission to and participation with the restoration work of the Creator – riding high in the true purpose of life. Prayer: “Into Your care I place those areas of my heart and life that appear to be irreparable. Replace all concern and frustration with assurance that with Your ability and abundant resources all is being restored. Cause me to walk with You far above these things as I join with You in bringing this same restoration to others.” Declarations: In redemption all that was stolen and lost has already been restored to me. As I release the hold of each area of loss into the hand of my Restorer, there is joyful revelation of His work in me. Where my heart had been held by fears of loss and hopelessness, it is increasingly secured in the One who is completely restoring my soul. As I turn from all loss to abundant provision in Him, I participate in the greatest purpose of life, providing that same restoration with Him. God promises not only to restore what was lost, but to restore it abundantly.