Do You Need Divine Restoration?

Forget your past
Forgive yourself
Delete negative people
Restart your life
Speak positive things into your life everyday

You will get there with/in the Name of Jesus!

Divine restoration in the Bible is God’s power to renew, heal, and return individuals or communities to a state of wholeness, often better than before. It encompasses spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal, restoring joy, health, and lost years. Key themes include God as the “Master Restorer” who reverses the effects of sin and hardship. 

Key Aspects of Divine Restoration

• The Nature of God: God is viewed as a redeemer who makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5), restoring what was broken by sin or circumstances.
• Restoration of Life and Joy: Psalm 51:12 asks for the “joy of salvation” to be restored, while 1 Peter 5:10 promises that after suffering, God will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” believers.
• Restoration of Fortune and Health: Scripture promises restoration of health and the repayment of “lost years” (Jeremiah 30:17, Joel 2:25).
• Total Restoration: Acts 3:21 mentions the time of “restoration of all things,” pointing to the ultimate renewal of creation. 

Scriptures on Restoration

• Joel 2:25: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”
• 1 Peter 5:10: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace… will himself restore you…”
• Psalm 23:3: “He restoreth my soul…”
• Job 42:10: “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends.”
• Isaiah 61:7: “…instead of shame there shall be a double portion…” 

The Process of Restoration

• Repentance and Faith: Restoration is often linked to turning back to God and believing in His promises.
• Prayer: Seeking God in times of trouble is a key trigger for restoration.
• Action: It involves acting in faith, such as forgiving others or pursuing obedience. 

In the New Testament, the theme of divine restoration takes on a more personal and spiritual dimension through the work of Jesus Christ. The ministry of Jesus is characterized by acts of healing and restoration, both physically and spiritually. His miracles often serve as a foretaste of the ultimate restoration that He brings through His death and resurrection.

The apostle Peter, in his sermon in Acts 3, speaks of Jesus as the one appointed for the restoration of all things: “Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets” (Acts 3:21). This statement underscores the eschatological hope that Christ will ultimately restore creation to its intended glory.

The apostle Paul also addresses the theme of restoration in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Paul writes about the new creation in Christ and the ministry of reconciliation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” . This passage highlights the transformative power of Christ’s work in restoring individuals to a right relationship with God.

Theological Implications

The plea for divine restoration is not merely a cry for relief from temporal suffering but a profound acknowledgment of humanity’s need for God’s redemptive work. It recognizes that true restoration comes from God alone, who is both willing and able to renew His creation.

Throughout Scripture, the plea for restoration is accompanied by repentance and a turning back to God. It is a recognition of human frailty and sinfulness, coupled with faith in God’s mercy and grace. The biblical narrative assures believers that God hears their cries and is faithful to restore those who seek Him with a contrite heart.

In summary, the plea for divine restoration is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the hope and assurance that God will renew and restore His people. It is a testament to God’s enduring love and faithfulness, offering believers the promise of spiritual renewal and ultimate restoration in Christ.

Do You Need Divine Restoration? 

By Brooke Holt

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let Your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:19).  

Have you ever been desperate for restoration? Maybe you needed restoration for a broken marriage, a lost job, or a wayward child. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, God’s people have longed for full restoration. Our Psalmist for today is no exception.  

In Psalm 80, the psalmist cries out to the Lord to remember what He has done for the nation of Israel. Israel, as God’s promised nation, was being ravaged by the Gentiles. In this last section of the Psalm, the cry was for God to help His people to be faithful. There was the acknowledgement that the nation had turned away from God. They needed his help. They needed Him to shine His face upon them to lead them back to Himself. Ultimately, they were desperate for God’s restoration.  

Aren’t we so much like them? We fall away, we face the consequences of our sin, and we in turn must cry out to the Lord beseeching him to bring us back to himself. Throughout the Advent season, the Scriptures have called us to repent and return to the Lord. This turning back is the means to make ourselves ready to celebrate His first coming and to prepare for His second coming.  

The return of Jesus Christ is our hope for full restoration; thus, these words of Psalm 80:19 can be your prayer today: “Restore me, O Lord of hosts! Let Your face shine, that I may be saved.” The Lord is always more ready to restore you than you are to ask for it as he is the God of steadfast Love and mercy. Thus, you can pray without fear, guilt, or shame. Your God longs to shine His face upon you!  

Related Resource:

Follow the ancient way of the Psalms and find the life God has for you. A model for vibrant worship, the Psalms provide practical wisdom to traverse the circuitous path of life with trust and hope. Pilgrim’s Path: A Study of the Psalms traces our spiritual walk with God—from discovery and delight, through doubt and disappointment, into joyful confidence. Whether used for individual or group study, Pilgrim’s Path is for everyone who seeks to know and Love God more and find life in Him.