RESTORATION

(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.