The promise of restoration – 18 November 2009

“And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.  Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your ploughmen and your vinedressers, but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours.  Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonour and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs”
Isaiah 61 v 4-7 [Amplified Bible]

This is God’s original promise to Israel as a kingdom of priests; it predicts that they will rebuild the ruined and devastated places.  It also focuses on their spiritual service, they will be called “ministers of our God”, God does not deliver and forgive for no purpose; God saves in order that the redeemed might serve.  What Israel had, she lost by sin; but it would be restored and bear fruit.  God has a kingdom of priests on earth today, it is you and I, my friends, as we share his hope and promises with others.

God declares that everlasting joy and honour will replace shame; joy is the result of restoration.  There is a story I hold dear, a promise I guess....During the war years, in order to save priceless paintings from being destroyed artists would cover up these masterpieces, they would paint over them with layer after layer of dark, dingy paint.  With the fine quality art well and truly hidden they would then paint a different picture over the original masterpiece and set them in a poor quality frame.  After the war these paintings were retrieved then painstakingly and lovingly restored, as each layer of dirt and paint was removed the original masterpiece was slowly revealed in all its unique splendour and glory.

Over the years I have been undergoing a major restoration process, life has stained me and hidden the person God created me to be, yet my Father, by the power of his spirit has been gently removing layers, years of spiritual baggage.  It has been very painful at times but very necessary, by repentance, acceptance, accountability and honesty I am discovering the true original that God created me to be!...  “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8:32) however, remember the truth normally makes you miserable before it sets you free.  We sin each day and God wants to daily convict us of our sin in order for us to allow him to change us, will you let him?  I am still no fine oil painting but his masterpiece is slowly being revealed and this restoration will continue until the day he calls me home.

Do you want to inherit a double portion and everlasting joy?  God will restore you to the masterpiece he created you to be and he will “repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25) - That’s a promise!

Lord, paint your rainbow of promise over my life.