Restoration

by Pastor Dan

I have been around the car scene almost my whole life.  Truth be told, I have always enjoyed making something louder and making it go faster.  When you talk to others in the car scene, you will find a variety of interests.  Some like to restore to original, some like hot rods, and some like what is called a rat rod.  Cars can be restored or made to fit all kinds of budgets.  Why do I say this?  Well, I remember when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, God used restoration to communicate to me His plan for my life.  God knew the language He needed to get my attention and to help me understand my purpose.  

One of the first verses that God showed me came from Psalms 51:12-13:  “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.”  As I read and tried to understand these verses, it made me realize that God had done something amazing for me:  He restored me!  Now I can see that He restored me instantly, and then day by day continued His restoration, and I am looking forward to the final restoration when I pass from this life to the next and final one.  As I am being restored daily, I can only do that through the power of the Holy Spirit because Jesus sustains me and builds in me a willing spirit.  I know God gave me these two verses because God does not want me to just keep this to myself.  It was very clear to me that I was at a similar place that the Psalmist was in His life.  Now I have a sense of wonder and awe of the restoration God has given to me, and I want to share that with others.

What does this word restore mean anyway?  Well, in the Old Testament, it often means reverse of direction, to turn around.  The picture here is that we are moving towards a place of refreshment.  In the New Testament, it often means the removal of a weight, such as lifting an anchor so a boat can be moved; however, it also is described as happening in a specific moment and time.  I love this picture as it reminds me that my restoration happens as life happens.  The great joy to me is that Galatians 6:1-2 gives further explanation of how to live out Psalms 51:13 that I mentioned earlier.  “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”  This says in the same way God is restoring me, I am to offer this restoration through Jesus Christ to others, with the same patience and grace to which I was and am being given.  Unlike our limitations that we have to build or restore something here on this earth, God spared nothing and gave all to express His love for you, and He desires to restore His relationship with you.

My hope and prayer is that you will find this restoration available to you no matter where you are today.  If you have already received this great gift in which God paid all for you, join the Psalmist, Apostle Paul in Galatians, and myself in sharing in the restoration of others for the joy of the Lord.  May God bless you.

Blessings,
Pastor Dan