Restoration of a Blessed Life

Second Chance for Judah

If you were here last week, you might remember this: “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster” (Joel 2:13).

The ultimate reason why anyone should turn and trust the Lord with their life is because he is triune God is fullness of all truth, goodness, and beauty. There is no one like our God and he expresses his amazing grace by giving everyone second chances.

Even when you didn’t realize it, the Lord brought you here for a reason. Perhaps it is to give you a second chance or maybe for you to be restored in your faith. Regardless, God has a purpose for everyone and he had a purpose of his ancient people Judah.

Yahweh calls a prophet name Joel to recite the plagues that were coming to Judah because of their unfaithfulness.

Locust invasion

Drought and desiccation

Impending army

And yet, God gave the people a choice - live apart from me in a life of despair with your sin or receive my grace and come home where you belong.

Our God is a God of second chance.

Yahweh's Covenant with His People

God’s ancient people, the nation of Judah was willing and ready to change because they were tired of pain and suffering. The invitation Yahweh gave to the people was for them to stop what they were doing and return to him.

Similarly, have you notice when you stop doing something that bad for your health, you naturally get better? When I give up eating late in the day. I don’t wake up with a bloated belly like Santa Clause. The same applies when we give up sin. We start getting better and God invites us to return. Why is that? Because again of who he is.

Joel 2:18–19 ESV

Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. The Lord answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

Yahweh covenant with Israel causes him to relentless purse his people in love. He is zealous for his people to come back to him. Yet he is compassionate when they have gone astray. Once the people woke up and realize the mess their were in they repented. Many people have to hit rock bottom before they change, this was the case for Judah.

The Power of God Transforms Everything

When they turn to him, God promises to bless. This is what he does for Judah.

Feast over fast

Confidence over shame

Joy over mourning and weeping

Joel 2:20–27 ESV

“I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things. “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield. “Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before. “The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

The response God wants from us rejoicing. He fixed everything! The people had to do nothing other than wait on God. His power is enough to transform our lives from curses to blessings. He reverses all the damaged done and gave them everything they could ever desired.

What more do we want? If we got God’s blessings, presence, and love. We have everything we need.

Restoration of Life and Joy Restored

(1) Rejoice always in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We need to live with attitude of gratitude. Rejoice because of the cross and resurrection.

(2) Have confidence in Christ's love for you. His zeal and compassion is great for you.

Romans 8:38 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

(3) Enjoy life's blessing because it comes from above. Be thankful for everything you currently have and be content with the Lord’s presence.

The Hope We Have In Christ

Let’s live God blessing is on us, for if we are in Jesus we have everything we need.