Restoration

I love the gospel. It's the power unto which lives are changed, restored and made brand new. Ezekiel 36 speaks to restoration of Israel's people. For many years they were living in exile. During that time, they did not turn towards God. They rejected him and worshiped man-made idols. Undoubtedly God's heart was grieved for the state and condition of his people. They chose the lesser things of life. They disregarded him as yaweh and defamed his name with their actions and attitude. Their heart posture was not bent towards him, holiness and righteousness. They were bent towards their own way - rebellion and disobedience. Like the Israelite's, we too can say there have been seasons, moments and times in our lives that we have lived as the Israelite's. We have gone our own way and lived a part from God. We have not regarded his laws and ways as the blueprint for our lives. We too have created and worshiped our own idols. We have put our trust and security in empty and broken cisterns. We have attempted to satisfy our hunger and thirst with manufactured imitations. To some measure, we have all lived lesser than the life we have been purchased, redeemed and purposed for. 

But God in his loving kindness and inability to not be faithful because of his character and nature, rescued the Israelite's. And he too rescued us and continues to rescue us. Not only from our sins and destructive ways, but us from ourselves. In some instances, his rescue and restoration may be an adjustment, correction, realignment. Or a mending, rebuilding or fixing. And at other times, his restoration is a complete overhaul. Not a new and improved version of the old thing, but completely new. The gospel cleanses, removes shame, and makes us brand new. We are given a new name, new identity, new heart. We have a new purpose and object of worship. We’ve been given a second chance. God restores us to our rightful place - as sons and daughters. He is our father. 

For wherever you are or for the situation you are facing, be encouraged. The gospel sets us free. It gives us new life. It moves us forward. Because of the gospel, we have a forever home in him. There is hope in the name of Jesus. There is new life in him. Come to the father just as you are and right where you are and be restored to new life. Chose him. 

24 “‘For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and I will not bring famine on you. 30 I will also make the fruit of the trees and the produce of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer experience reproach among the nations on account of famine. Ezekiel 36:24-29