https://odb.org/MY/2023/05/30/the-god-who-restores
As we all know by now, Christian life is not a bed of roses. We go through life like any other. In a way, it’s akin to the fairy tale living happily ever after with Jesus because there is true happiness and peace with God in our lives. Yet there are ups and downs, valleys and mountain peaks. Most valleys I think are caused by our own indiscretions, our own folly and insolence. Yet even if we are 100% obedient to Christ, I believe we can not avoid the storms that come our way. Why? Because that’s life. The beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the horizon come with the stormy seas and dark clouds.
Having Chirst in our lives however ensures that we come out of valleys and storms with our faith intact and unscathed. Our heart is still strong in God because suffering produces perseverance and perseverance character (Romams 5:3). The storms will come, but like a strong ship, we will sail through the storms as Christ has, throughout the years, moulded and strengthened our faith to give us a character to always cling on to God come what may.
But Christ does more than that. He also restores what we had lost in the past. He gives justice to the weak, the disadvantaged, and the trampled. He upholds us and keeps our honour before men. As David has said before, He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). Like the dry bones in Ezekial 37:5, the LORD will give flesh and sinews and breath to make them come alive again! He will restore to us what the locusts had devoured (Joel 2:25). When we see all our hard work coming to nought, God will restore us what was taken away from us. He will give us a new beginning, a new life somewhere else.
The message this morning is that our God is the God who restores. Amen!
Ronnie's Thoughts 