Restoration Promised

"So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the Lord your God has banished you, and you return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, then the Lord your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you." -Deuteronomy 30.1-3

In reading the curses that follow disobedience it is easy to think of God as angry and waiting for the people to mess up so that He can punish them. But that isn't what God is like, and here He shows the true nature of His character. God is a god of restoration, and He promises that if his people call on Him, obey Him, and follow Him, that He will restore them.

God is a father, and like any good father, He must discipline His children when they don't obey Him. His intention is not to punish them, but to build their character. He does not delight in removing blessings from His children, but knows that if they are to be holy and righteous He has to. It is not done out of anger, but out of compassion and love. And it always comes with the promise of restoration if they will turn back to Him.

Men, you may be feeling that God is punishing you, that you have been banished from His blessings. My challenge is to examine your heart and life, are you living in disobedience and rebellion? If so turn back to Him, rejecting everything that pulls your heart away from Him, and allow Him to begin restoring you. Maybe you look at your life and honestly you have lived righteously, seeking to do God's will. My challenge to you is persever. God is molding you and building you. You are being trained and prepared. Stay faithful and learn from Him. This is not wasted time, God is preparing you for some use in His restoring work.

Let us never believe we are too far gone. May we turn to God and find the promised restoration.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor