"When God Restores What the Locusts Eat"
Or should the title be "Does God REALLY restore what divorce takes away".
As I sit here in a hotel room in San Diego having just finished reading this word for the day I can't help but smile... and just yesterday Joel Osteen reminded me of a scripture in Zechariah that says "O prisoners of HOPE; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you".
I once heard HOPE described as a confident expectation that God will provide a better tomorrow.
My divorce was most definitely a time of famine, when it was really difficult to imagine the next day let alone a family vacation for 3. Can I just tell you that God's promises are real and true AND for YOU! No matter how dark things may seem, be a prisoner to HOPE and know the Lord your God is with you, He is faithful and His power is made perfect in weakness. Do not lose heart. What Satan intends for your harm, God can turn around for your good!
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"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm - My great army that I sent among you." - Joel 2:25
There are seasons in our lives that involve times of famine and times of restoration. Solomon tells us that He has made everything beautiful in its time and that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven. (See Ecclesiastes 3:1,11.)
God brings about both the good and the bad. The seasons of famine have a divine purpose in our lives. They accomplish things that only these hard places can accomplish. But there is a time when those hard places have accomplished their purpose and He begins to restore. God did this with the nation of Israel after a season of famine and devastation.
Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm - My great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will My people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will My people be shamed" (Joel 2:23-27).
God wants each of us to know that there is a time when He will restore in order to demonstrate His gracious hand in our lives. He is a loving Father who tenderly guides His children through the difficult places. If God has taken you through a time of leanness, know that He is the restorer of that which the locusts have eaten. Wait patiently for Him to bring this about in your life. He will do it.
When God Restores What the Locusts Eat
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, March 10 2008
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Many times our emotions cause us to forget the power we have in Christ when things seem to be falling apart around us or we feel the weight of responsibility on our shoulders. I would encourage you to take hold of the vision you have for you and your family; be intentional about "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" (Philippians 4:13) God knows the plans he has for you and they are GREAT - he has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Happy Friday!
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"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
Today we find many Christians living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as "business as usual" than a life demonstrating God's power. God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves - a life that is dependent on His grace and power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives. This is His plan for your life. The apostle Paul prayed that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life. This power is available to you and me to live for a cause greater than ourselves. Ask God what He wants to achieve through your life today.
Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
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