Discover His heart: He brings restoration to each life in amazing ways
Over the years many of the old masterpieces, paintings from centuries ago, have required restoration. The process is tedious and lengthy. It includes cleaning, x-raying the thickness of the canvas, filling in holes, removing the varnish, removing layers of deterioration and color and then product matching. Since the artist has long since passed away, another artist is chosen to paint only the areas that are without paint, never adding paint to the master’s work. The finished product is a beautiful restoration of a masterpiece to be enjoyed for many years to come.
Our Creator is also involved in the restoration of His masterpieces. Sometimes the process is tedious and somewhat lengthy, but His process is not considerate of dead artists because He, of course, is the artist. After years of exile and pain, Israel was on its way to restoration in our reading today.
@ Psalm 126
“When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!” (1-3) The painful years of exile in Babylon had softened the hearts of the remnant of Israel, and as they returned home, they sang songs of praise and joy. The process had been difficult, but the Lord had done amazing things for them; and now with great hope, they sang, “Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.” (4)
Regardless of the damage we have caused to the masterpiece of our life, God is all about restoration. Sometimes the process is slow as He softens our hearts and often the process is long because there is much to restore, but He longs to hear us pray like David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” (Psalm 51:10-12)
Sometimes restoration can only come through our forgiveness of others. “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” (Job 42:10) Job, Joseph, Daniel…sometimes we are damaged by the words or deeds of others, but when we forgive to the point that we are able to pray for them or bless them, restoration will come and make us like new. God is all about restoration.
Moving Forward: I’m thinking today of the amazing things God has done for me and His willingness and ability to restore whatever I need.
Tomorrow @ Ecclesiastes 3-4
Phyllis Benigas 