Date: 10 February 2023
Preacher: Apostle General Jannie Ngwale
Editor: Mrs Nthabiseng Motubatse
Principal Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:10 - 13
Secondary Scripture Readings: Mark 8 : 24 - 25
The Bible is filled with promises of hope, comfort and restoration for believers. Restoration refers to the act of returning something to its original state or condition, and in the biblical context, it often refers to the restoration of what has been taken away or lost. In the book of Joel, Chapter 2 Verse 23, the Lord speaks of the redemption of the children of Zion and how He will restore what has been stolen from them.
In this message we will be learning about the principle of restoration. We will also be looking at the meaning of Shalam in the book of Joel which will provide a different aspect in the Hebrew context, we will also discuss the promise of restitution in the book of Acts and then take things a step further by understanding God’s principle of greater measure in restoration. The case study of Naaman will give us a practical outlook on how restoration can take place in our lives as believers. The message of restoration is the message of hope and comfort for believers as we begin to see the demonstration of God’s ability in every area of our lives.
The Meaning of Shalam in the Book of Joel
The word "restoration" in the book of Joel is taken from an older Hebrew word that means Shalam, which speaks of bringing back what has been lost. The word Shalam also speaks about the aspect of return, meaning God is saying He is bringing it back! The Lord promises to restore everything that has been taken away, everything that has been stolen, and everything that is owed. This message of restoration is not just for one person, but it is for all of God's children, wherever they may be.
There is an easterly wind that is coming, which symbolizes the quick and powerful movement of restoration in the lives of God's children. The Lord is bringing restoration into your life, restoration into the lives of your loved ones, restoration in the lives of those who belong to your clan.
The Promise of Restitution in the Book of Acts
Acts 3:21 "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began". In the book of Acts, the Lord promises to bring restitution, which is a strong and legal term that speaks of complete restoration. This message of restitution is a reminder to believers that the Lord is not just going to restore what has been lost, but that He is going to bring it back completely, so that nothing is missing. This message of restitution is a promise of complete restoration, where everything that was lost or taken away will be returned to its original condition.
God's Principle of Greater Measure in Restoration
The concept of restoration in the Bible is not just a promise for material possessions, but it is also a promise for spiritual restoration. Restoration of the soul, mind and spirit is an important aspect of the gospel and it is a reminder that the Lord is not just concerned with our physical well-being, but with our spiritual well-being as well. The Lord promises to heal the brokenhearted, to restore those who are lost and to bring peace and comfort to those who are struggling.
The principle of "an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth" is a well-known concept in the Old Testament. However, it is important to note that God never operated on this principle. Instead, when God restored what was lost, He always did so in greater measure and in greater quantity.
This message is emphasized in the New Testament, where God promises that whatever was lost will come back in greater quantity and value. God is showing us in the New Testament that if we have lost something it will be returned in greater measure. An example of this is if you have lost in the measure of a teaspoon, God returns in the measure of a spoonful, if you have lost in the measure of a spoonful God restores in the measure of a shovel, and if you have lost in the measure of a shovel when God restores, He restores in the measure of a wheelbarrow, and if you have lost in the measure of a wheelbarrow God restores in the measure of a bulldozer.
The Case Study of Naaman
Another example of this is the case study from the Bible about a man named Naaman. Naaman was a captain of the Assyrian army and a great and influential person, but he suffered from leprosy.
One day, he captured a young girl who eventually became a servant in his household. The girl told Naaman about a prophet in Israel who could deliver him from his disease. Naaman followed the girl's advice and went to Israel with a contingency of his soldiers and gifts of silver, gold, and precious garments.
The point of the case study is to show that Naaman understood the principle of bringing a gift or offering to the prophet, and that he didn't go empty-handed. The message of the case study is that when we ask God to restore what we have lost, we should approach Him with faith and humility, and not be afraid to give what we have in return Naaman understood that there must be reciprocity.
Naaman ultimately was instructed by the prophet to go to the river Jordan and go get himself cleansed seven times, and the instruction was that once this is done, he will be cleared of his leprosy, although this did not make sense to Naaman he went to dip himself in the river Jordan according to the instruction he was given. Naaman’s skin was completely restored to him.
The Message of Hope and Comfort for Believers
In conclusion, the message of restoration in the Bible is a message of hope and comfort for believers. The Lord promises to restore what has been taken away, to bring back what has been lost, and to bring restitution to the lives of His children. This message of restoration is a reminder that the Lord is not just concerned with our physical well-being but with our spiritual well-being as well. The Lord promises to heal the brokenhearted, to restore those who are lost and to bring peace and comfort to those who are struggling. This message of restoration is a message of hope for all who believe in the Lord, and it is a reminder that no matter what has been taken away, the Lord is able to bring it back and restore it completely.
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