So many will reflect on 2009 and wonder where it has gone. Some will look at the numerous challenges they had to face and will wonder if 2010 is going to be the same. With the recession unabated, redundancy still lurking in many quarters, many will wonder if they can face another year faced with these challenges. The scriptures says in Daniel 11:32 – “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”
I want to assure you that as those who serve the living God, 2010 is your year of restoration. You however must take action. What is the action? Hosea encourages us to return to the Lord in Hosea 6:1. In verse 2 we are reminded that “after two days, in a short while He will restore us so that we can dwell in His presence”. In 2010 we have to fully return to Him, not partially. We have to return to our first love for us to enjoy God’s restoration.
Jeremiah (book of Lamentation 5:21) cries to the Lord and says “restore us o Lord back to you again. Give us back the joys we once had”.
So what is restoration?
It is the re-establishing of a former position, the return of something to its original position, the restitution of something that was stolen or taken away. So Jeremiah wants God to return God’s people back to Himself so that the gladness of old may be re-established.
David cried to the Lord for the re-establishment of the joy of God’s salvation. Psalm 51:12 - “restore unto me the Joy of thine salvation”
Restoration is putting back into the position of dignity. In Genesis 40:13, the Pharaoh’s wine bearer had lost his position of dignity as the Kings wine bearer, Joseph reassures him that in three days time he will be restored to his position of dignity and it was so.
There are many things that steal away our joy and displace us from that place of dignity. I want to assure you that in the year 2010 as you return to the Lord and cry out to Him He will restore your joy, He will restore your dignity.
God Himself has promised in the book of Jeremiah 30:17, “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds”. Wounds are not only physical; they can be spiritual and emotional. God has promised He will restore your health; He will bind your wounds.
The years that the enemy has stolen from you, your families, in your health, in your finances, in your relationships, in your careers, your businesses, your ministry, and spiritually shall be restored in Jesus name. You will have a testimony in 2010 and beyond.
Job lost everything, his children, his wealth, his health and his dignity yet he trusted in his redeemer who lives. The Word of God tells us that his latter end was greater than his beginning. Job 42:10-12 – “And Jehovah turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. Also Jehovah added to Job all that had been his, to double. And came to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had known him before. And they ate bread with him in his house, and consoled him and comforted him over all the evil that Jehovah had brought on him. Each one also gave him a piece of money, and each one a ring of gold. And Jehovah blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.”
May God restore you in 2010 and may your latter end become greater than your beginning in Jesus name.
