(2Cor. 5:17-18 Job. 42:10-16,
Joel 2:25-26)
Restoration
is the return of a thing, what may have been lost or a change effected to bring
back a thing to its original position or plan.
Note: RESTORATION is in three phases.
WHAT PRECEDES RESTORATION?
(THE FIRST AND SECOND PHASE)
In the beginning (Gen 1:26)
when God created man, his original plan for man which is to dominate the earth
was first truncated by the sin of disobedience (Gen 2:15-17, 3:1-19). But God in his infinite mercy seeks a way to
restore man back to his former position; which is to dominate the earth. Since
the day man sinned, the devil has been controlling and dominating man & the
earth because man lost fellowship with God.
Before restoration, there has been a position i.e. there was an
original situation. Man was created and was put in the Garden of Eden to dress
it and keep it (Gen 2:15) which was the
original position or situation God wants for man. When man lost it, the
situation and plan changed, and ensued was a period of pain, darkness and a
strained relationship with God.
What precedes restoration is in two phases; firstly, the original
plan or situation of a thing then the corresponding consequences of the change
that follows.
Man was doing well in the Garden of Eden – First Phase (Gen 2:7-25)
Man disobey God and the consequences follows – Second Phase (Gen 3:1-19)
Note: Change precedes restoration,
Action brings restoration, and Change also follows restoration”.
Before restoration can take place, the two phases must have been in
place.
Most times, the consequences of a change in plan or situation are
not always palatable and that is why restoration is inevitable. When we look at
the life of Job also, we see a man blessed in the beginning of his life- which
is the first phase (Job. 1:1-3). We see
things turn around for the worse for him, sorrow replaced joy in his life –
which is the second phase (Job 1:13-20)
WHAT BRINGS RESTORATION?
ACTION (TOTAL FAITH IN GOD) BRINGS
RESTORATION (Heb. 11:6)
For restoration to take place there must be an action.
In the case of man, for restoration to take place GOD himself acts.
It started in the days of Noah after the flood (Gen. 8:21-22, 9:1-3, 8-11) then he afterwards send His only
begotten son, to die and restore man back to Himself (Jhn. 3:16, 2Cor. 5:18).
In the case of Job, He never sinned against God and was steadfast
in his Faith in God (Job. 1:20-22) and
also prayed for his friends (Job. 42:10).
But in our own case today, what is the action we need to take to
bring about restoration in our lives? Unflinching
Faith in God.
The truth is; it is by our own doing that we are in any bad
situation we may be in today. It may be because you have not given your life to
Christ or you have sinned knowingly or unknowingly. But, in this trying time of
ours, we must either come to the saving knowledge of Christ or for you that is
saved, not to deny our faith in God.
We must trust Him totally as Job did (Job. 1:20-22).
RESTORATION
(THE THIRD PHASE)
JESUS – is our restorer (Jhn
3:16, Heb. 12:24, 2Cor. 5:17-18, Joel 2:25-26)
We must know that Jesus is the only restorer of soul. He is the
only one that can restore us back to God and all we may have lost.
POST- RESTORATION
When God restores, there must be a change & that change is
always better than the former (Job.
42:10-16, 2Cor. 5:17-18). The latter shall be greater than the former (Job. 42:12, 8:7, Hag. 2:9). When
restoration has taken place, God always render double (Zech. 9:12, Is. 61:7).
In Conclusion: We need God for restoration. If
you have not given your life to Christ, do so now because without this you can’t be restored.
Pray this simple prayer:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept you today as my Lord and savior.
Make my life your dwelling place, restore me back to God. Thank you for
restoring me Lord. In Jesus name (Amen). You are now born again. Join a living
Church near you and you will see everything falling in place for you.
I hope this article have been helpful. If you have any enquiry contact
me through this email – oyeemmy431@gmail.com.
God bless you.
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