FRIDAY 21ST SEPT., 2018
WORD FOCUS: GOD WILL MAKE IT UP TO YOU
TEXT: Joel 2:25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you….”
Loss can make us feel forsaken and utterly destroyed…For many, divorce meant leaving the house we grew up in, our neighbourhood, our friends, our school…even our church because we were ashamed and heard condemnation from those who should have been concerned for our souls. To use Joel’s metaphor, locusts ate our family; more locusts ate our friendships…and still more ate our church…But God promised, “Never again will my people be shamed” (v. 26). I can’t tell you what restoration will look like…or when it’ll happen. Some of us will see relationships with parents and siblings mended…others will build great marriages and loving families…and some may have to wait for heaven where all wrongs will be righted, all wounds healed, all tears wiped away.’ One Bible teacher says: ‘Resist the temptation to despair or delve into disappointment. You may feel like you’ve forfeited years, opportunities, finances, and a significant return on investment of self. Receive this fantastic promise of redemption: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.“ Beauty for ashes, the oil of Joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. No one on earth can make anything up to you. No one can pay. No one can set things right or make things fair. Pressure and manipulation won’t bring justice. So let it go and let God fill your life with new blessings. If you’re full of resentment and wrath He can’t find space for His gifts. God will make it up for you if you keep an expectant attitude of faith, and thank Him that His promises are yours and are forever settled in heaven’
MEDITATION: Isa. 61:6-7
STUDY THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 SAM 9/2 COR.7/EZEK.21/PS.48
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