Restoration

What comes to mind when you think of the word restoration? Maybe you are thinking of repairing something that’s broken. That is certainly one interpretation of the word but it’s only one.  In the bible, restoration is about returning something or someone to their original state.  It is about healing and making things new again. This is seen in the Old and New Testament stories of people and nations being resorted to God’s Favor. A quick scoring of the NIV bible reveals that there are 66 references to restoring, restoration, restorer, and restore.

One example of restoration is the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. God, however, was with Joseph and restored him to a position of power in Egypt. Joseph was then able to help his brothers and save his family from starvation. Another example of God’s restoration is in the story of Jonah. Jonah ran from God and was swallowed by a whale. However, God had other plans for Jonah and restored him. He went to preach to the people of Nineveh and lead them to repentance. These are just two examples of how God can take a difficult situation and restore it for His glory.

For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his son while we were still enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his son.  Romans 5:10

In today’s world, how do we experience restoration? Firstly, We need to realize that we are broken, imperfect, and cannot fix ourselves. We need someone else to do that for us. Secondly, We need to repent of our sins, turn away from the things that break us, and turn toward Jesus. Thirdly, we need Jesus to restore us and ask him to forgive us, heal us, and make us whole again. Finally, we need to trust and obey what the word of God says and commands us to do.

As we look at what the bible says about restoration, let’s open our hearts to receive God’s promise on a deeper level than before. He desires to restore us to Himself and our original design and purpose. The good news is that this process of restoration is available to everyone, it begins the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.