God's Plan of Restoration

In Genesis 1:1 we read that God created...however, if we keep reading the rest of the Bible we understand that something went terribly wrong in His creation. Sin entered the human race and man was lost. In the words of John Phillips, "The book of Genesis begins with creation and ends with death. It begins with the glory of God and ends with a coffin in Egypt. Something went terribly wrong."

The purpose of Christ's coming into the world was to restore man back into a relationship with God. However, if we take the time to understand restoration we find that God's definition and process are just a little different than ours.

"According to the dictionary, "to restore" means to "bring back to a former or original condition." When something is restored in the Scriptures, however, it is always increased, multiplied or improved so that its latter state is significantly better than its original state. For example, under the Law of Moses, if someone stole an ox or a sheep, it was not sufficient for him simply to restore the animal he had taken. He had to pay back five oxen or four sheep. When God restored Job after the terrible trials he endured, He gave him twice what he had lost and blessed him more in the latter days than in the beginning. Jesus told His disciples that anyone who gave up anything to follow Him would have it restored a hundredfold. God multiplies when He restores. And so, in His restoration work today, God is not simply restoring the church to the glory it displayed in NT times. He is seeking to restore it to a state more powerful, majestic, and glorious than anything the world has yet seen!" James Robison "The Holy Spirit and Restoration"

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible comes from David's prayer of confession to God. After confessing his sins and seeking God's cleansing power, David cries out, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalm 51:12

In our eyes - we simply want what was lost. In God's eyes - He wants to go beyond what we were. What good does it do for us to return to where we were? Is it not better for us to go beyond the place where we fell so that we don't have to endure those things again? David goes on to say that after God restores him that "then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You." I think David understood God's restoration plan and process. It wasn't enough for David to move back into the place he had fallen...he sought a greater place of restoration.

Galatians 6:1 teaches the church that, "...if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Our plan simply makes someone suitable for fellowship. God's plan is to bring them to a place of greater spirituality and usefulness for God's kingdom.

When I was in Chattanooga this past Spring, I was able to hear a man share a testimony about God's grace in his life. He was an evangelist and had walked away from his marriage and ministry. However, God was faithful to draw him back. This man shared from his brokenness about how God was restoring his marriage and ministry. The sad part was that there wasn't too many churches ready to help. There weren't too many believers willing to lend a hand. The pastor of the church we visited had allowed him to come in and speak during a Sunday morning service and 100's came to faith in Christ. Do you think that God wants to restore this man? I do.

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song several years ago titled, "Don't Let the Fire Die." This song was basically a prayer for someone who had stepped out of fellowship. In the song he says that he doesn't want God to give him back what he lost but that the fire would burn brighter, hotter, and longer than before. That is God's plan for restoration! He wants to do so much more than return us to our original state. He wants to move us into a deeper involvement in His kingdom, a more intimate relationship with Himself, and a greater usefulness for the Gospel.

If you are reading this today and have lost some of the spark that you once had...or maybe you have walked away from the fellowship of believers...you may have even fallen so far that you thing that God can't pick you up...I'm here to tell you that God wants to restore you. 1 John 1:9 says that, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Don't you want that? And I assure you that if you are hungry to go deeper with God that He will take you there! He will bless you to where you are not able to bear all of the good things that He can give. The only question is whether or not your want God to restore you.

May your prayer be as David's: "Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation..."