Promised Restoration
January 9, 2023
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds’ declares the Lord, ‘Because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’
This is what the Lord says:
‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.’…’so you will be my people, and I will be your God.’”
Jeremiah 30:17-19, 22
Some of my favorite TV shows are home renovation shows. I love watching a rundown, neglected house, not only be repaired but restored to something beautiful. That process of transformation and restoration is something that we as Christians can relate to.
Similar to the homes on TV, we all have areas of our life that feel rundown and in need of repair. Perhaps we have relationships that have been strained and broken. Or maybe in the last year our strength and energy were drained by challenge after challenge and we feel discouraged.
Just like old homes that need to be revitalized, it is in these areas of pain, loss, and weariness that we long for restoration. The good news from our passage today is that in grace, God offers us restoration. Through Christ he redeems and revitalizes every part of our lives.
Jeremiah 30 gives a picture of complete restoration. It details the removal of pain and suffering. And replaces it with compassion, growth, and rejoicing. God promises that when we trust in him, he will move into our lives and restore every part of us, including the areas that are rundown and broken.
Take a moment to reflect. Which areas of your life need the restoring power of our Lord? Lift those things up to our Heavenly Father and invite him in.
Prayer
Father, we thank you that in Christ our sin has been forgiven and our judgment has been removed. We praise you for the reminder that you are our God and you promise to bring restoration to our brokenness. We lift before you today the areas of our lives that are in need of repair. We pray that you might move in those circumstances to bring new life and restoration. As we await Christ’s return and the final renewal of all things, may we share the good news of the gospel with everyone you place in our path. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Makalah Scholten
Spiritual Care Coordinator
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