Bible Reading: Joel 1,2,3; Revelation 5
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” – Joel 2:25 (KJVS)
Nobody likes to lose anything good, whether physical, financial, social or spiritual. Losses generally cause pain and sorrows. However those who love God will always find solace that nothing happens without God’s knowledge. God did not only know about it but also allowed it to happen. Thus in Job 1:6-12, where Satan went to God and got the free hand to test the faith of Job by taking away all his belongings and then see his reaction to God. While God allowed him, he was still restricted on how far he could go with Job. Thus God asked him not to put his hands on Job. ( Job 1:12)This is an example of losses arising as a result of trying your faith. Satan was testing the faith of Job in God.
However we also saw that losses could be as a result of your sins. Thus in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJVS), God said “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” So God told Solomon that if people will repent of their sins, he would not only forgive them but also heal their land and thus make them able to recover what they had lost.
Thirdly, losses could arise as a result of carelessness or laziness. Thus the Psalmist wrote in Proverbs 10:4 (KJVS), “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” But in all cases, God is able to restore all that had been lost as long as you focus on God. That focus means being diligent, examine yourself, repent of any sin in your life and remain faithful to God inspite of your losses. Then God will restore all you had lost. In Joel 2:25 (KJVS) God says, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”
So it does not matter how much, how old or how long your losses had been, the Almighty is set to restore them to you this season as long as you put him first.
Action Point:
Examine your life thus far identifying area of carelessness, sin or lack of faith and make amends asking for mercy and restoration.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero