1 Peter 5:10-11
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
INSIGHT
-Restoration is a dynamic theme that touches on all aspects of life, and most people have the hope of restoration in one way or another. The word restoration means to heal, repair, or return to a previous state of being. The word re which means “again,” and store which means to put back into align- ment with its original purpose. Restore is often linked to healing, and it’s Hebrew word is shalom which means peace and wholeness. Restoration touches on matters health, be it physical, emotional, psychological, financial, economic, spiritual etc. It is by the grace of God’s that we receive restoration as Christ heals every condition and makes us steadfast in Him. He increases our faith and hope in Him even when we suffer a little, He redeems us and heals us when we are broken at heart. Jesus is our God of peace and sorts out all our situations for He loves us and cares for us, and this the holistic beauty of His gospel. We are reminded to count on our Jesus our Savior for He is never late and He will never leave us nor forsake us.
PRAYER
Jesus You are the King of glory, our Savior and Redeemer, we praise Your holy name. You are our good God and none can compare to You. You created the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them, all glory belongs to You. We submit our hearts and situations to You dear Jesus take preeminence in our lives. We cast our burdens and cares unto You Jesus for You care for us. We ask for a restoration all around us and in all that concerns us. May You restore our lives, families, children, businesses, jobs, economy, marriages, relationships, education, ministries, churches and all areas of our lives. You are a God of restoration we seek Your grace and peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: 1 Peter 2:24-25
2 Kings 7:1
“Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ ”
INSIGHT
-There was a great famine in Samaria, and a donkeys head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and doves droppings for five shekels. Those who could not afford it became cannibals and fed on human flesh. Neighbors even exchanged their children as food (2 Kings 6:24-30). The Lord caused the Syrian army to hear the noise of chariot and horses, and they thought they were under siege. They fled for their lives leaving their possessions behind. Four lepers who had nothing to loose because of hunger, were encouraged to go into the Syrian camp. There was plenty of food, gold, silver and other items, and they called in the king to witness God’s goodness. As it had been prophesied by Elisha, a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria. The Lord caused restoration to His beloved when there was acute drought in Samaria and the inflation rate shot up. These are some of the challenges that many among us are facing. Due to high inflation levels, prices of commodities have gone up and some cannot even afford a meal, and they sleep on empty stomachs. The crime rate has also gone up and many are depressed. House rent, school fees and other incidentals has become a nightmare, and many among us are suffering. But we have hope in the God, for the Lord who turn the situation around in Samaria our God, and is able to restore our economy, and transform our lives.
PRAYER
Lord You are a God restoration. When there was drought in Samaria, You provided plenty for Your people. May You turn around the situation in our lives, country and other nations of the world. May You restore our lives and the lives of many who are suffering, and cause Your face to shine towards us. May You transformation the economic situation in our nation and cause an overflow in our bans. May You bless the work of our hands and heal our land. May You open up many doors of opportunity for us to prosper and expand our territories. You are our healer and restorer, may You heal our land and make us fruitful in all spheres of our lives. You are worthy Lord and nothing is impossible with You. May You heal our hearts and bless us beyond measure. We praise You and worship You now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Psalm 67:6
Luke 8:43-44
“Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.”
INSIGHT
–Jesus Christ is the Lord of restoration. He restores our health and wellness. The woman with the issue of blood suffered for twelve years seeking medical attention from various physicians. She used up a lot of financial resources and possibly she grew weary by the day. Some among us are sick or have relatives and friends who have been ailing for a long time. Many take medication, go for therapy, and check up which can be an expensive and draining affair. Just like the woman who had an issue of blood must have thought there is no hope but when she saw Christ, she lifted up her faith and touched His garment. Jesus Christ felt power flow out of Him and knew someone had touched Him despite being surrounded by a crowd of people. He told her to go in peace for her faith had made her well. We cannot please God unless we have faith and it is by faith that we get restored by Christ. All that we desire from Christ must begin with faith. Jesus Christ is the restorer of good health. There is no situation that is too difficult for Him. Despite the years that have passed, God is still able to heal us if we can only put our faith in Him. God is able to heal and restore good health, make the barren give birth and even resurrect the dead just as He did to Lazarus. All situations are meant for His glory, and therefore we should seek Him diligently with faith. We should seek Him and just as the woman with the issue of blood, touch the hem of His garment and draw our power from Him. Let us not grow weary of seeking the face of the Lord in all our circumstances for He is able to restore change and deliver exceeding abundantly more than we can ask of or think of, according to our faith for it is the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).
PRAYER
Jesus You are the Restorer of our health. By Your stripes we are healed. May You heal us are restore our health. May You heal all those who are sick among us. You are our Healer and our God, we put all our trust in You. Like You healed the woman with the issue of blood, we know that You will heal us and all those who are sick and suffering. May You heal all those who are suffering from HIV, arthritis, stroke, diabetes, cancer, tumors, physical injuries, skin diseases, high blood pressure, cerebral palsy and all other illnesses. May You provide the financial resources required to pay hospital bills. May You do a new thing in our homes and hospitals. May You heal our hearts and minds and restore us. We touch the hem of Your garment today. We believe that whatever we ask in prayer, You have already done it for us merciful Savior. Amen
Further reading: Jeremiah 30:17, Mark 11:24
Luke 15:17-19
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”
INSIGHT
–The prodigal son realized spiritual restoration in Christ. His fathers love is evidenced from the begin when he provided inheritance to his youngest son. This son wasted his resources and life in prodigal living, and when drought struck, he was in want. He desired to dine with the pigs to satisfy his hunger. Sometimes we are faced by such situations when we move away from our Father’s house and spend our lives, and resources wastefully. The desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life consume our souls so strongly and we forget to pray, praise, read the word, seek God and do His will. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 reminds us that, “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” The prodigal son returned to his senses and thought he would be better off living as a servant in his Father’s house. This is the realization that God is calling us to have today. It is better to be a servant in His house than a master in/of the world. God is calling us to return to the first love. To repent and turn back that our sins may be blotted out and our souls are refreshed. He is calling us to walk by the spirit and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The prodigal son return to his Father and was adorned with a ring, the best robe, sandals, a fatted calf was slaughtered for him and a feast celebrated. When we return to our Father’s house, He is going to restore our dignity and a great rejoicing will take place in heaven among the angels when one sinner repents (Luke 15:10).
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Forgive me dear Jesus and make me Yours. Blot out all my transgressions and create in me a clean heart. Cast me not away from Your presence Lord and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and renew Your steadfast Spirit within me. May You write my name in the book of life and give me eternal life, that I may dwell in Your presence forever. I return to You dear Jesus with sincere repentance that You may guide me in all my thoughts, hearts desires and actions according to Your will. May You teach me and help me Holy Spirit to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. May Your grace overcome my fleshly desires, lust of the eyes and pride of life, that I may hear Your voice and follow You dear Jesus. May You remember our children, all our relatives, friends, our leaders, nation and the entire world, that You may give us the precious gift of salvation. May You be known and adored in all the nations dear Jesus. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus You are God to the glory of God the Father. All glory, honor, power, praise and wealth belongs to You Jesus now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Revelation 21:8, Acts 3:19-21
Joel 2:24-26
“The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. “So 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, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.”
INSIGHT
-Our God is Lord of restoration, and promised to restore the Israelites after the Babylonian captivity. In Zechariah 9:12 we see God’s promise to His children saying, “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” After Job went through testing and experienced suffering and perseverance, the Lord also restored to him double all that he had before (Job 42:10). Some among us have lost time, financial resources and opportunities through disease, delay, lack and unscrupulous individuals or groups who steal from us, which can be viewed as the work of the enemy. Our God of hope is causing a restoration of time, health, financial resources, opportunities, spiritual maturity and other forms of prosperity unto us that there shall be an overflow and deliverance from shame, for the glory and honor of His name.
SUMMARY
The theme of restoration is broad, applicable in each one of our lives and symbolic in this month of rest. If we break down the word restore, the prefix re means “again,” and store which means to put back into align- ment with its original purpose. The word restore has a concoction of Hebrew words and meanings. The first word is arukah which means to restore one’s health. The woman who had an issue of blood had suffered physical, psychological and financial loss, consulting various physicians in vain. Jesus restored her health when she touched the hem of His garment (Luke 8:43-44). Jesus is calling us today to have faith in Him and He will heal all our wounds. The other Hebrew word is shub which means to turn back or return. It also means to bring back a soul, a person, an environment, or a community to its originally intended plan of peace and wholeness with the Creator God. Jesus also restored the life and well being of the prodigal son who went astray with wasteful living, and He healed his soul (Luke 15:17-19). Spiritual restoration is also key in each one of our lives and we are reminded to repent and turn away from every waywardness and trespass, and our Lord of grace will heal our hearts and souls. Shebuth in Hebrew means to restore from captivity. God restored the Israelites from the Babylonian and Pharaonic captivity. He delivered the Israelites from their oppressors and redeemed their lives. Job was also restored when he went through a difficult time of testing and the Lord restored to him double what he had lost. Haphak is the other Hebrew word which means to turn a situation around. When there was drought and inflation in the economy of Samaria, the Lord caused a turn around in the nation (2 Kings 7:1). The prices of commodities were high to a point where people became cabals. Our Lord is the God of restoration and He will restore our lives, relationships, families, marriages, health, businesses, jobs, society, economy, prosperity of the nations and every other situation that we are faced with, for He loves us and cares for us.
PRAYER
Lord You are good and Your mercies endures Forever. You are a faithful Father and our able God. Nothing is difficult for You dear Jesus. Nothing is impossible with You Abba Father. All things are possible with You Holy Spirit. May You cause a restoration in our situations and our lives. May You do a new thing and cause a turn around in our lives, families, relationships, marriages, churches, economy, nation and all the nations of the world. May You be glorified in all situations and may Your healing, restoration and deliverance power be known by all men. May You grant us wisdom and show us Your grace. May You increase our faith in You and enable us to pray, read the word, worship and apply Your word in all situations. May You break all the bars of iron and expand all our territories. May You empower us in our purposes and ministries, and cause an increase and fruitfulness in our lives for the glory and honor of Your name. May You cause peace and prosperity in our nation even as we approach the general elections. We trust in You and declare that You are able and worthy Lord. All glory and praise belongs to You dear Jesus. May You bless us and keep us Lord. May You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You turn Your countenance towards us and give us Peace. Amen
Further reading: Galatians 6:1-5, Psalms 126:5-6