Blessings of Restoration

Joel 2:18-19

Then the LORD became jealous for His land and spared His people. The LORD answered His people:Look, I am about to send you grain, new wine, and olive oil. You will be satiated with them, and I will no longer make you a disgrace among the nations.

God sent plagues of locusts to devour the land of Israel, but He promised to restore them if they would simply return to Him. Upon repentance, He became jealous for His land – His people. He would quickly bless them with abundance in all the areas where the locusts had destroyed their land. No longer would they be a disgrace to the nations who surrounded them.

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives. When we succumb to his temptations, we give up precious land that God has promised to us. Locusts are small creatures that may appear harmless, albeit annoying, at first. Rather than wishing them away, they often swarm in multitudes that become too many to fight at once. Before we know it, a swarm can easily devour precious land in only moments that we have spent years cultivating. Repentance drives away these devouring locusts and draws us back into right relationship with God, who can bless away the devastating effects of the locusts.

We must never forget that God controls the locusts, as well as the bounty of our crops. Victory is ours over the enemy when we simply turn to God and let go of the annoying habits that hold us back – those undisciplined areas that create idols of comfort for us. We serve a jealous God who is also jealous for us and will restore us so that His name will be glorified among those who don’t believe.

May 2025 be a year when we submit all undisciplined areas to God and repent for anything that stands in the way of our relationship with Him. May we experience His mercy and find Him jealously restoring us with blessings only He can provide. May we draw closer to Him, hear from Him more clearly, and obey Him quickly.

Have a blessed day!