God's Restoring Touch

"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten..." (Joel 2:25)

The locusts had been used of God to bring judgment on the people of Israel when they were rebellious. But the promise of God is restoration when they were repentant and had returned to God. I had prayed that prayer many times since 2004 when God brought me out of my rebellion and restored me to Himself. When He allowed the youth of the late 70's to have a reunion in the Dallas area and me to attend, it was much like the restoration of the years the locusts had eaten.

When Jonah rebelled against God and did not go to Ninevah, when he got to Joppa running away, he paid his own fare on the ship. God will allow us to make our own choices, but He will not pay the way. And yet when Jonah was repentant of his rebellion, Jonah 3:1 says, "And the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time." I am so grateful that God is a God of second, third, and even umpteenth chances.

Return to God today. He will bless you far beyond your imagination. He is a God of mercy and compassion and quick to forgive and restore. As someone has said, "God is not mad at you, He is mad about you." Yes, God does pour out His wrath on sin, but through Christ, He wants to show you compassion and give you grace. Run to Him through Jesus today. You will be glad you did.