Key verse: Joel 2:25-26 - KJV
25. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Luke 15:11-32
The thoughts of God towards us as humans are thoughts of peace and not of evil to bring us to an expected end. Unfortunately, however, our sins constantly separate between us and our God to the extent that when separation comes, an army of locusts, caterpillars, cankerworms and palmerworms work against our spiritual resources and it starts to show up as ills in the physical for which there are sufferings and perishing. But our God is full of mercy and does not want any to perish. Even after we had strayed, if only we are able to retrace our steps, He rebukes the army of devourers for our sake and restore to us that which had been devoured such that our latter state is made better than the former when we acted in ignorance.
In driving this principle of the Kingdom home for us, the Lord told us the parable of the prodigal son. He took resources from the father and went into riotous living. In that life, the devouring army dealt with his resources that he became so poor and suffered ills before he realized himself. But when he did realize himself and returned to his father, not only did the father receive him back, he restored him to his old place as if he suffered nothing. Like the prodigal son, many of us, after receiving benefits of God, we turn our backs on Him and go on our own frolic believing we are relishing life. When the enemy takes the resources away from us completely then we become sober. Some are not even so sober as they go pursuing other gods for succor. They seek help where it does not exist ending up worse off than they should be. The process of restoration may be gradual and based on God’s precepts. But if only we can return to God and hold on to Him alone, then our restoration is assured. He has promised not to cast away anyone that is so ravaged by the devouring army and comes to Him because He would give the same rest and restoration. If you are in anyway gone away from the Lord and His instructions, He is using this medium to call you to return to Him. It is only in your doing so that your restoration is assured. Cry to God today.
Pray: Father, please forgive me of my past frolics and restore unto me the pride of place in you henceforth in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
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