RESTORE
David said in Psalm 23 “ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul”
David penned this Psalm knowing what it was to take time to be still, to rest and allow God to restore his soul.
Many of David’s early years were spent tending his father’s flocks and he knew the importance of allowing his sheep to lie down in green pastures, by the still waters so that they could be refreshed and restored.
Time and again David went to God in prayer and meditation asking God to restore his soul.
When he was discouraged he encouraged himself in the Lord, and God restored courage in Him.
In one of his darkest hours David cried out to God, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12)
David knew that God is a God of Restoration. Whatever has happened, or is happening God can restore that which has been lost.
Speaking of the restoration that God was bringing to Judah, Joel likened the destruction they had experienced to the destruction caused by the swarming locust. God was about to restore wall that they had lost.
“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” (Joel 2:25-26)
God continues in His message to Judah, “Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. Zech9:12 NKJV
God is a God of restoration and His promise is that He will restore us when we turn to Him.
What is it that we need to be restored and reset as we enter this New Year?
Whether it’s our first love for God, the joy of our salvation, our strength, our health or our soul, let’s pray that God will do what He promises in His word, “Even today I declare that I will restore double to you!”