God’s Restoration 

I heard the Lord say that he is repairing ruptures and breaches and he is restoring. In Joel 2, the prophet wrote about the day of the Lord when the trumpets should be blown in Zion, an alarm raised. The people should tremble as a day of darkness and gloominess was coming. A devouring army would rise up great and strong, like there had never been before. A fire goes before them and behind them a flame burns. The land before them is like the garden of Eden and behind them is a desolate wilderness. The verses points to God’s judgment for sin and unrighteousness. These ‘people’ are like locust or devourers and their appearance is like horses who move swiftly. The sound of their movement is like chariots as they leap over mountains with the noise of the flaming fire. They are like a strong army which brings pain and destruction to those in their path. “They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks” ‭‭(Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬). They move expeditiously in military order and go between their weapons. 

They move across cities, they climb on walls, enter through windows like thieves and the earth quakes before them. There is a shaking in the sky, the sun and moon goes dark and the stars don’t shine so brightly. A voice is given to this army of God as his great and mighty army carries out his word. This day of judgement is terrible and many will not endure it. To prevent judgement God’s people are called to repentance. We are to turn to the Lord with weeping, fasting and prayer. Our hearts need to be torn or broken in repentance for our sin, because our God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and is kind. If we truly repent, God will turn back his hand of judgment and bless his people instead. An alarm needs to be raised among the people of God to fast, pray, gather and consecrate themselves. The elders and priests should cry out to God in repentance for his church and intercede to God for mercy. “Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God’”” (Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬)?

Once there is a genuine cry of repentance, God will have mercy on his people and restore them. He will answer them and send the grain and new wine and they will be blessed in abundance and be a beacon among the nations. God will remove his devouring army and they will be driven away into a barren and desolate land, where they can no longer cause destruction. We will no longer need to be afraid or worried, because God will do wonders among us and the land will become fruitful and prosperous. It will be a time of rejoicing as God will pour out his blessings and vindicate his people. Houses, businesses and everything that belongs to the righteous will be abundantly overflowing with blessings. God will restore all that was lost or stolen during the season of judgment. “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” (‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬). God’s people will feel his presence and know that he is in our midst to bless us and establish. 

After the season of restoration, God will pour out his spirit on his people and we will see a great revival in the land. Prophecy will increase and there will be an abundance of dreams, visions and revelations. God will not hold back his anointing and power will be visible among his people. There will be many signs and wonders before the final coming of the Lord. “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls” ‭‭(Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭32‬). God is gracious, loving and kind and he loves to bless and protect his children. He is also a God of justice and judgment and when his people disobey him and turn away from his instructions, there are consequences. These consequences often result in the fierce judgement of God, which can bring destruction. The God news is that God is always ready and willing to forgive us, if we repent and return to him in fasting and prayer. Once we repent, God will restore in abundance and pour out his spirit on his people. Let us examine ourselves, see where we have fallen, return to God in repentance and be fully restored.

Anneta Pinto-Young