Date: 24 February 2023
Preacher: Apostle General Jannie Ngwale
Editor: Mrs Nthabiseng Motubatse
Principal Scripture Reading: Psalms 51:1
Restoration is a term that has become common in Christian circles, but what does it truly mean? To gain a deeper understanding of restoration, it is essential to comprehend how God views time, value, and creativity. Restoration is not just about regaining what was lost but also about rebuilding and making improvements. Restoration is the process of regaining the value that was lost when something was stolen or taken away.
In this message we will be learning about the concept of restoration in the Bible.
Restoration is a very broad concept so today we focus on reparation and the wholeness of restoration.We bring to light the fact that restoration is not just physical, but that there are internal and external aspects of restoration. Furthermore, we examine the promise of restoration which in turn causes us to make an assessment of loss in our lives. Ultimately life gets better when we trust in God and the process of restoration.
The Concept of restoration in the Bible
The concept of restoration is a powerful one in the Bible. It is a reminder that no matter what we have lost or how far we have strayed from God, He is always ready and willing to restore us to our former glory. In Psalms chapter 51 verse 1 it reads: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions…” we see David praying for restoration after committing adultery and murder, despite his grave sin, God still hears his cry and restores him to a place of joy and peace.
It is important to note that the concept of restoration is not limited to a particular aspect of our lives. It covers everything. God wants to restore us fully and wholly in every area of our lives. He doesn't compartmentalize our restoration, but rather, He brings it to us in totality.
Reparation and the Wholeness of Restoration
Reparation is another term that is associated with restoration. It refers to the act of making amends for a wrong that has been done. God is not only interested in restoring us, but He is also interested in repairing everything that has been broken and damaged in our lives.
He wants to make things right again.
It is therefore very imperative that we begin taking inventory of our lives before the damage occurred. By doing so, we can understand what we have lost and what we need to restore. It is essential to ask ourselves whether we have evaluated the aesthetic value of our lives. Is it the creativity of the creator that is missing, or the heaviness of our heart?
Internal and External Restoration
When we approach restoration, we need to remember that it is not just about fixing the physical features, but also the internal aspects of our being. Restoration can go beyond what we have lost and give us something greater, an example of this is the story of the Shunamite woman. A woman in the Bible who lost everything, to the point where the Bible does not even give us her name, because even the essence and identity of who she was became insignificant. But after seven years, God restored everything she had lost and gave her something greater. She was not just restored to her previous state, but something more significant than what she had lost.
The promise of restoration is that God will make something new out of the old. We may not know what that looks like or how it will happen, but we can trust that it will be greater than what we have lost. When God restores, He brings value to what is being restored, making it better than it was before.
The Promise of Restoration
Restoration is a promise of hope that something greater will come. In life, we all go through times when we experience loss or damage. Whether it is a broken relationship, a failing business, or a personal crisis, the pain and disappointment can leave us feeling hopeless and defeated. But the good news is that we have a God who is in the business of restoration.
In many cases, when we lose something, we often forget its true value. In the business world, time is money. The same can be said in the spiritual realm. When God calculates the time taken away due to theft or loss, He factors in the time needed to restore what was taken. It is crucial to understand that restoration is not a quick fix, but a process that requires time, creativity, and ingenuity. It is easy to say that what has been lost is of old value and has declined in worth. However, God sees it differently. He views it as antique, which means it has increased in value as the years have passed.
The Assessment of Loss
Restoration also involves the age that one is in and how it affects the value of what has been lost. It is essential to use imagination to restore what was lost and to make improvements. Just like the professionals who assess antiques to determine their true value, God uses His divine skills to assess what was lost and what needs to be done to restore it.
When one is restored into a relationship with God, they come into His kingdom, and the value of who they are in the kingdom cannot be compared to the value of who they were when they were sinners. Restoration is about experiencing the hand of God in creating the uniqueness of one’s integrity. It is about accomplishing the creativity and image of God.
Restoration and Trust in God
Restoration is not only about getting back what was lost but about making it better. It is about looking at what was lost and dreaming about what could be, how it could have been improved. It is the process of bringing back something that was stolen or lost and making it new again. In other words, restoration is not a process that can be rushed, but a process that requires patience, creativity, and trust in God.
In conclusion, restoration is about regaining the value of what was lost, making it better, and using creativity to improve it. God’s restoration process involves considering the age, value, and creativity of what was lost and making it new again. In the end, restoration is not just about what was lost, but about what can be gained. It can be overwhelming to think about everything that needs to be restored, but we can take comfort in the fact that God is in control. He knows what we need, and He has the power to make it happen.
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