A friend recently completed an extensive remodel on her house. As I followed her journey on Facebook, I oohed and ahhed over the pictures of her all-new bathroom. I imagined what it would be like to have that in my house!
I also saw pictures of their work-in-progress, which helped me realize how much time, effort and commitment went into crafting such a beautifully restored project. Not to mention their talent for building and design.
What exactly is restoration?
Restoration can be defined as the act of returning something to its former condition. Making something new again. Restoring can also make things better than their current state. The Bible says a lot about this. Our Heavenly Father’s restoring power is one of the greatest promises from Scripture.
God loves us and wants us to have a relationship with him, but the entrance of sin into the world separated us from him. Yet God graciously provides a way for our relationship with him to be restored through his son, Jesus Christ.
“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” Romans 5:10 NLT
As we look at what the Bible says about restoration, let’s open our hearts to receive this promise on a deeper level than ever before. My prayer is that as we study Scripture, we will see God restore what’s been lost in our own hearts, lives, and families.
Here are 4 foundational truths about restoration from the Bible.
Restoration can happen in our physical bodies.
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord…” Jeremiah 30:17 ESV
I can go for a walk every day, make trips to the gym, and cook healthy meals at home. All of these are good things that bring honor to the One who created my body. All of these help me regain my strength I may have lost during illness or injury. But nothing can fully restore us like God can.
The Hebrew word for restore in the above verse can be defined as to go up or ascend.
Chapter 30 shares God’s word for his people through the prophet Jeremiah. God intended to bring his people back from exile and restore their land. But God also promised to restore their health.
Dealing with ongoing health issues is hard. Chronic pain can cause our hope to fade and affect how we live. Reading this verse will help us hold on to hope when the pains of our wounds linger. Let’s cast our eyes heavenward as we seek God’s restoration.
Claim this promise with me today: God is able to heal me and restore my health.
Restoration can happen in our spirits.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12 ESV
Life’s struggles can suck the joy right out of even the most positive person. Pile one struggle on top of another, and we can easily become trapped under the weight of despair.
God’s promise for restoration doesn’t only apply to our physical bodies, but our spirits as well.
The Hebrew word for RESTORE in Psalm 51:12 can be defined as to return or turn back.
Sometimes I lose my way. I get distracted, chasing the wrong things, and before you know it I’m questioning where God is and why I feel so far from him.
When we seek God again, he will turn our hearts toward him. My joy and peace returns as I ask his forgiveness and submit to his plan instead of my own.
The Matthew Henry Commentary puts it this way. ““A child of God knows no true nor solid joy but the joy of God’s salvation, joy in God his Savior and in the hope of eternal life.”
Claim this promise with me today: God is able to heal and restore my spirit.
You can read more about restoring our peace here.
Restoration can happen in our circumstances or surroundings.
“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10 ESV
When we feel like we’ve lost it all, God promises to return even more than what was stolen from us. Job kept a humble attitude before God, knowing his ways are far beyond our own. Even when he’d lost everything. His health, his fortune, his family. Job honored God.
Yes, our faithful God promises to restore. But that doesn’t mean things will look exactly the way they were before loss. The pain of loss cuts deep and leaves a void only God can fill. But if we keep our focus on Jesus as we pray for restoration, God will renew our hearts and lives in ways beyond what we can imagine.
Claim this promise with me: God is able and willing to restore what was lost.
Restoration will always be visible on the outside, but it begins on the inside.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Have you ever seen one of those home improvement shows where they intend to update the home in six weeks, but as they break down walls— surprise! Faulty wiring, old plumbing, or mold hide behind the exterior.
They realize the project is going to take much longer than expected. More cleaning, more work, more time and effort.
In the same way, God wants to see deep change in us, beginning with not-so-pretty things that may not be visible to others. When we pray for restoration, we can begin with a short prayer asking God to reveal any unclean thing within us. (Psalm 139:23-24 is a great place to start!)
Restoration will often take longer than expected, and we may not see immediate results. But we can know without a doubt, God is working on our behalf. Always.
If you’re struggling with discouragement in suffering, read these 3 hopeful truths for times when our affliction lingers.
The Beauty of Restoration in the Bible
When I gaze at the before and after pictures of my friend’s home improvement project, I have a new appreciation for the change that takes place. I believe others will see a change in our hearts as well, when we invite God into our lives and trust his restoration power at work.
Let’s hold on to this prayer together today: Praise God for making me a new creation through restoration!
If you’d like a printable version of the promises and verses in this post, I’ve created something for you, to help you as you pray for restoration. It’s called the One-Sentence Restoration Promises from God prayer cards.
When you subscribe, I’ll send you access to that download along with all the other resources I have available.
