Restore a Double Portion

Isaiah 61:7

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor.

You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

The book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah to call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation through Jesus, the Messiah.  The Life Application Bible says that “the “office” of prophet was instituted in the Days of Samuel, the last of the judges. Prophets stood with the priests as God’s special representatives. The prophet’s role was to speak for God, confronting the people and their leaders with God’s commands and promises.  Because of this confrontational stance and the continuing tendency of people to disobey God, true prophets usually were not very popular.  But though their message often went unheeded, they faithfully and forcefully proclaimed the truth.”

Isaiah was considered one of the greatest prophets.  He became unpopular because his messages were so difficult for the people to hear.  He was warning them of their pending judgement if they did not turn from their lives of sin.  God was going to bring judgement and punishment for their sins. Chapters 1-39 calls Judah and Israel to repent from their sins. They had a form of godliness, but were corrupt in their hearts.   The 27 chapters (40-66) in the second half of the book generally brings a message of forgiveness, comfort, and hope. Isaiah describes the coming Messiah as a suffering servant and a sovereign Lord.

God was sending a Savior, to save His people. He promised them comfort, deliverance, and restoration in His coming kingdom. This is the same passage of scripture that Jesus quotes in the New Testament and proclaims that He had come to fulfill.  Under the new covenant, all believers could be priest of the Lord, read God’s Word, seek to understand it, confess their sins directly to God, be forgiven, and minister to others. 

Jesus came to set free all that were (are) bound by sin, lies, fear, torment, guilt, depression, oppression, sickness, disease, etc.  Jesus was anointed to bring God’s Word, John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God.”  He was the Word.  He came to preach to the poor, brokenhearted, captives of sin, bound, wounded.  It was the year of salvation, the Savior was here.  He came to set them free, free from the pain and penalty of sin.  He came to take their shame, guilt, and dishonor and give them double honor. What is the significance of double honor?

Double honor means “instead of the reproach and humiliation which you have been called to experience. You shall have double - A double inheritance or reward” (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible) Pulpit Commentary says, “Verse 7. - For your shame ye shall have double. Instead of the shame and confusion of face which were the portion of Israel during the Captivity (see Isaiah 51:7, 23; Isaiah 54:4; Daniel 9:7, 8, etc.), they should after their restoration to Palestine "have double" their former glory and double their former territory. An increase of territory had been already prophesied (Isaiah 49:18-21) - an increase which, however, was not so much an extension of the bounds of Palestine as a spread of the Church over the whole earth (comp. Zechariah 9:12).”

They were about to not only be restored (healed, repaired, and returned to a previous state of being) but they were going to get a double inheritance and reward.  They were going to experience increase.  God wants us to know that we can always return to Him when we make mistakes or walk away.  Sometimes our lives or actions bring shame or trouble but God is willing and able to restore us.  We just have to repent and seek God and He is able to restore double for all the shame, embarrassment, and turmoil.  Trust God and come home.  Let Him restore and reward you.  Living with Him on your side is definitely increase!!

 Restore to Me the Joy!

Psalm 51:12

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

"Restoration in the Bible is synonymous with healing, repairing, returning to a previous state of being." (Bible Study Tools)

David was well aware of the fact that sin and disobedience to God was robbing him of his joy.  Why? Because he sinned and one sin led to another.  First, he was not where he should have been.  Kings were at war that time of the year but he stayed home.  Second, he desired another man's wife and inquired about her. When he found out that she belonged to another man, one in his army, he still sent for her.  He slept with Uriah's wife - adultery.  He had wives as well.  

Third, he lied and brought Uriah back from battle so that he could sleep with his wife and think the child was his.  When Uriah refused to do so, on several occassions, he sent him back with a letter in his hands.  The letter contained the strategy for his murder.  

Sin caused him to lose his connection with God and his joy.  Nehemiah 8:10 says "Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy brings strength and peace. It refreshes you and makes your heart happy.  Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” David was broken for what he had done, once confronted by the prohet Nathan. He confessed his sin and asked God to restore him, take him back to the relationship they shared before this mistake.  He wanted to be close to God again. 

I don't know about you but joy makes me feel good.  When I can laugh and have a great time with my family and friends or by myself. I feel better when I am filled with joy, when I am connected to God.  The water always brings me a sense of peace and joy. Why? Because I can walk and talk to God about the wonders He has created and be thankful for all that He has done for me.  

Today, I pray that God will restore your joy and bring you peace. It will bring strength to your body, soul, and mind.  It will make you feel so much better. If you have anything standing between you and God, confess it so that you can have peace and joy.  God wants to restore your joy!! 

God Will Restore All

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you.”

Joel 2:25

 Joel was the prophet to the nation of Judah. He was warning Judah of God’s impending judgement because of their sins.  He was urging them to turn back to God.  The people of Judah had become prosperous, took God for granted, and went back to their ways of idolatry and sin.  They were not following God or His commandments.  They were well aware of God’s law and His promise to bring judgment if they did not follow Him. 

The Life Application Bible tells us “Like a destroying army of locusts, God’s punishment for sin is overwhelming, dreadful, and unavoidable. When it comes, there will be no food, no water, no protection, and no escape.  The day for settling of accounts with God for how we have lived is fast approaching.” 

God’s forgiveness comes when we acknowledge our need of a Savior and repent, turn away from sin.  It was not too late for Judah and it is not too late for us.  God was calling Judah to repentance. God did not want an outward display of emotions but true repentance of the heart. Where there is repentance there is hope.

God was promising Judah that if they returned to Him, He would restore (give back, return; 2: to put or bring back into existence or use; 3: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state: renew; 4: to put again in possession of something) what they had lost.  His restoration would be complete.  When we turn from sin back to God, our relationship is restored with the Lord.  He pardons our sin and promises to meet our deepest needs.

What is the significance of the swarming locusts?  “..locusts can swarm, becoming a frighteningly destructive agent of crop devastation. In this swarming phase, usually brought on by drought, they breed rapidly and travel in large clouds, consuming all vegetation in their path… According to the BBC, in 2020, locust swarms appeared in dozens of countries at once. When they impact several neighboring countries in this way, we refer to this as a “plague of locusts.”” (What Do Locusts Symbolize in the Bible? Crosswalk.com) Locust were a source of destruction and devastation. 

God promised that even though the locust came and destroyed all, He was able (and still is) to restore, put back, return, and renew all that was lost.  He loved Judah and wanted the best for them.  As it is today, God is able to restore all that is lost if we turn to Him and follow His ways.

Repentance and commitment to God can cause Him to restore all!  Be blessed.

 He Restores My Soul

Psalm 23:2-3

² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;

It’s June!!  School has finally ended and though it was a struggle, we finished strong! It took a great deal of God given strength and wisdom to finish this year with grace.  I am exhausted and in need of restoration.  Restoration which means to give back, return; 2: to put or bring back into existence or use; 3: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : renew; 4: to put again in possession of something.

To be restored is to be brought back to an original state or to renew. There are times when you need to be renewed or brought back to a place of rest and rejuvenated.  You need your mind, emotions, and will to be refreshed.  You’ve given your all and your strength is spent.  You need to find a place that brings peace, joy, and a refreshing to your whole being.  You need time to reflect, rest, and get back what you poured out. 

David knew this fact as he pinned Psalm 23.  He talks about God as his shepherd, the One that watches over and protects His sheep. He knows the best place to lead the sheep for the food and water to restore them. He knows that sheep need still water because sheep fear running water. It is said that they will die of thirst instead of drinking fast moving water.  They can drown if their wool gets wet, it becomes too heavy.  Plenty of water flushes toxins from the system, lubricates joints, eyes and nasal passages and helps sheep regulate their body temperature. Sheep need water to stay hydrated and food for energy.

David felt distressed and in need of restoration.  He was cast down and disheartened. Psalm 42:5-6 “⁵ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. David knew that he could only find these places, be lifted, and find hope if he followed the Lord, his shepherd.  Rebellion on the part of the sheep only leads to things that are not in the best interest of the sheep.  David realized that praise would help him be lifted from the depression.  It took his eyes and mind off the situation and troubles.  He was looking to the One that knew what was best for Him.  God could restore his soul.  The soul consist of the mind, will, and emotions. God could bring peace to his mind, joy to his heart, and help him surrender his will to God.

As so it is today, God can and will restore your soul.  He can bring peace, joy, fun, renewed strength, give you mental rest, and etc., if you allow Him.  I am looking forward to this summer when I can be restored spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.  I need it. We all need to go to God and be restored at various times. 

People try to satisfy their souls with many things, food, art, music, travel, jobs, activities, alcohol, and drugs, but they remain empty and unfulfilled. But if they would turn to Jesus, He will fill restore them and fill the longing of their souls.  He loves you and He will restore your soul.

Be blessed.