Total restoration

Key Verse: Joel 2:25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” (KJV)

The word “Total” means entire, whole, complete, full, and comprehensive. The word “Restoration” means the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.

In the carpentry world, there is a refinishing product that can restore old furniture to its former lustre, sparkle or glow. If a piece of furniture can be restored to its former state, how much more you that God created in His Own Image and Likeness.

A locust is a tropical grasshopper with strong powers of flight. It is about three inches long, and have two antenna another inch or so long. Locust travel at tremendous speeds, and they are mostly known for their ferocious appetite. They leave nothing behind. Locust will even eat the bark off the trees. Locust has a nickname… it is called “hunger incarnate.”

In the days of the Prophet Joel, the nation of Judah experienced total devastation. A blight of locust swept across the southern kingdom of Judah. The locust devastated fig trees, and barley fields, and vineyards. They consumed the crops that dotted the countryside, and crippled the economy. Joel 1:4 describes the total devastation that occurred around Jerusalem this way: “What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; and what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.” The lush, green landscape had been ravaged.

It is possible that the locusts in your life have eaten up your hard labour for many years – your marriage – your business – your talents – your anointing as a preacher – your joy of salvation – your wealth – your gifts from the Holy Spirit – your reputation – your economic opportunities.

It may surprise you, but at times, God Himself sends the locust into our lives. He allows trials and testing. Other locusts in your life are a result of the evil in the world. And some locusts just swarm in from nowhere. But most of the time, the locusts in your life are as a result of some sins in your life.

Let me ask you today, what are your regrets? May be a failed marriage, business or opportunity or mistakes of the past years? Or a loss of grace and anointing you carry? Well, if you have a few regrets, let me share with you an exciting promise – a thrilling promise. It comes straight from the throne of God.
There’s not a more encouraging promise in the entire Bible, than Joel 2:25. God says to His people then and now, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust…” Catch the implication – it doesn’t matter what caused the damage…

The reason for your loss is irrelevant to the restoration God wants to work out for you. The locust might be the result of God’s trial, or the evil in the world, or some unknown reason, or even past sin, but no matter its cause, if you have surrendered your life to Jesus, He promises you a total restoration. Remember God is ever faithful to fulfil His promises. In the book of Jeremiah 1:12, God declared that, “…I’m watching over my word until it is fulfilled” (CEB). Your case is not an exception to God keeping to His Words.

Today’s Nugget: The reason for your loss is irrelevant to the restoration God wants to work out for you.
Prayer: By Faith, I receive total restoration in every area of my life that the locusts have eaten in Jesus Matchless Name. Amen.

Prayer lines: call 08132133896, 08033452365 & 08030664977.
E-mail: evangelgospel@yahoo.com
Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.