DIVINE RESTORATION

SERIES: DIVINE INTERVENTIONS

TEXT: JOEL 2:25-27; PSALM 51:12

Divine restoration is the act of God by which He brings back to His people what has been lost, stolen or destroyed. Restoration is God’s demonstration of His Mercy and power to turn around situations and restore His glory in the lives of His children. (Joel 2:21-26) “And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, the caterpillar and the palmer worm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wonderously with you; and my people shall never be ashamed.”

The great army that attacks believers is overwhelming. Satan comes but to steal, kill and destroy. Cankerworms, palmerworms, caterpillar and locust. 

• Cankerworms: Hebrew YALAK means to lick or lap up. Cankerworm is also called inchworm, looper worm, spanworm. These worms kill by licking away all hope.
• Cankerworms speak of depression and discouragement. Most often the cankerworm will appear in small numbers, but they can appear in large outbreaks. Are you allowing cankerworms to attack you? God is the restorer of all that has been licked out of your life.
• Palmer worm: The Hebrew word is GAZEM. It means sorrow and grief. The enemy’s way of cutting off all joy, no joy in life.
• The larva of tineid moth and beetles. They normally eat on apples and fruit trees.
• This speaks of destruction by worry, fear, grief and sorrow.
• Caterpillar: Hebrew CHASEL. Larva of butterflies speaks of devouring everything and creating great fear.
• Locust: Hebrew word, RAVAH. Locust speaks of multiplying trials, trouble, difficulties.
• The locust also speaks of a loud volume trying to drown out the still small voice of God.
• God promises Shalom, the God of total restoration, completeness, repayment retribution and healing.
• So the message of the locust is a lie, the message of the cankerworm is discouragement and loss of hope. The message of the caterpillar is fear, while the message of the palmerworm is sorrow and grief.
• Our message tonight explores the principles of divine restoration. Let us learn:-

THE MEANING OF DIVINE RESTORATION

• Divine restoration encompasses more than material possessions, it includes spiritual, emotional and relational healing.

1. Recovery of lost years.

• God restores wasted time and unfulfilled opportunities- (Joel 2:25).

1. Restoration of peace.

• God restores inner peace and calmness-(Phil 4:7).

1. Reversal of negative circumstances.

• God changes adverse situations for good- (Isa. 61:7)

1. Rebuilding of relationships.

• Broken relationships are mended by divine intervention- (Gen 45:3-5)

1. Manifestation of God’s glory.

• Restoration glorifies God in the lives of His people (John 11:40)
• Job’s losses were restored in double measure after his trial-(Job 42:10-14) Restoration equals better.

CONDITIONS FOR DIVINE RESTORATION 

• Restoration is contingent on aligning with God’s will and His promises.

1. Repentance and confession

• Sin must be acknowledged and forsaken( Psalm 51:12)

1. Faith in God’s power.

• Trust in God’s ability to restore all things (Mark 9:23)

1. Persistent prayer.

• Seek God through fervent and consistent prayer- (Jer. 33:3)

1. Obedience to divine instructions.

• Restoration often requires acting in obedience (2nd Kings 5:14)

1. Gratitude and praise.

• A thankful heart invites restoration-(1st Thess. 5:18)
• The prodigal son’s repentance and return to his father led to restoration-(Luke 15: 18-24).

BENEFITS OF DIVINE RESTORATION

• When God restores the results are evident and transformative.

1. Abundance

• God restores more than what you lost and what He restores is better than what you lost- (Joel 2:26, Job 42:10)

1. Honor.

• Shame is replaced with glory- (Isa 61:7)

1. Renewed strength.

• Restoration brings physical and spiritual strength-(Isa. 40:31)

1. Testimonies.

• Restoration turns sorrow into joy and testimonies-(Psalm 126:1-3)

1. Victory over the enemy.

• God’s restoration shames the enemy’s plan-(Gen 50:20)
• David recovered all that the Amalekites had stolen and nothing was missing-(1st Sam. 30:18-19)

OBSTACLES TO DIVINE RESTORATION

• Certain attitudes and behaviors hinder restoration.

1. Unrepented sin.

• Restoration cannot occur without genuine repentance- (Isa 59:2)

1. Lack of faith.

• Doubt and unbelief blocks God’s intervention- (James 1:6-8)

1. Impatience.

• Rushing ahead of God’s timing leads to errors- (Gen 16:1-4)

1. Negative confessions.

• Speaking words of doubt and fear hinders restoration (Prov. 18:21)

1. Failure to seek God.

• Restoration requires an intentional pursuit of God- (2nd Chronicles 7:14)
• The Children of Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness delayed their restoration and entry into the promised land- (Numbers 14:33-34)

CONCLUSION

• Divine restoration is God’s way of showing His Mercy and reaffirming His covenant with His people.
• No matter what has been lost or stolen, God can restore it in greatest measure.
• Trust in His promises, obey His instructions and praise Him even in the face of adversity. Your season of restoration is here.

PRAYERS:

• Father thank you for being the God of restoration.
• Lord restore every lost opportunity in my life.
• Father heal every broken area of my life and relationships.
• Lord grant me the grace to wait for your perfect timing.
• Father replace my shame with double honor.
• Lord open the doors of divine restoration for my family.
• Lord reverse every negative situations in my life.
• Lord make my life a living testimony of your restoration power- Amen.