The Work of Restoration

Restoration is not an easy work. It requires a surrendered heart to the work of the Holy Ghost. Any restoration in our own strength will fail. We can't change people or terrible circumstances that happen in our lives but God can restore completely.

As God restores, it means we put no demands on Him for us to understand, argue or question to what or how He does the work. We must chose to take our eyes of the natural state of our lives – the dry, ruined, desolate or overrun places – and fix our eyes on a risen Christ.

Nehemiah was a captive and a cup bearer to the King of Persia, King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah received a report of those who escaped captivity were in great distress and reproach. The walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates were burned (Nehemiah 1:2-3).

He didn't raise a fist to God demanding answers or ask Him endless questions. Rather, he was so moved by the report that he sat down and wept for many days. He fasted and prayed over the plight of his people and the city of Jerusalem.

The work of restoration starts when we can acknowledge the ruins in our own lives much to our own disobedience and willful rebellion against God’s word. If the truth is going to set us free, it will set us free when we confess to the Lord we have lived much of our lives apart from what He requires in the Word of God.

Overall, the work of restoration requires humility. Even Job who suffered greatly and his friends were miserable comforters, was asked by the Lord to pray for them. After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10, NIV).

The work of restoration is often complete when we extend our lives to others who are broken.