RESTORATION

Isaiah 57:15-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10

“’I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,’ says the Lord, who heals them.”

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

“Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?  You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.  You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.”

“If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.”

Redemption. Restoration. Resurrection. These three “R”s of Christianity provide our hope and our motivation for faith. Their light pierces the darkness of this world. Their power lifts us above the adversity in our lives. Take some time today to simply meditate on these three words, repeating them quietly until they become their own Psalm. Does not your pulse slow down? Is not your spirit stilled? For just a moment, did you feel the Spirit’s breath against your cheek? He is very near. Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people! God is good, and His steadfast love endures forever. We can never fall so far that we fall out of the grip of grace.

There are times in life when we just need to stop, take stock, claim our blessings and say a word of thanks, whatever our circumstances. We need to give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to remind us who and Whose we are. We need to give ourselves the opportunity to be and feel loved by our Creator, whatever we may think of ourselves. Today, for me, is one of those days. Nothing much has happened; little has changed over the past few days. But I am beginning to see more small signs that the Lord is with me, and I have been greatly encouraged. Things have improved notably at work. A deposition went well, resulting in a very favorable settlement for a major client. We made it through three graduations, getting a nice visit from my parents in the bargain. Our concerns for my Dad’s health continue, but he did well while here and made it home safe. Due to falling water levels, our dock got beached on our neighbor’s water pipe, but we were able to have it lifted off and re-floated with no damage to the dock or the pipe (although it was an expensive lesson). Even the car, which broke down this morning, had the decency to demonstrate early symptoms in our driveway and waited until we got it to the dealer for service to give up the ghost completely. Praises that we can afford these fixes as well (most will be under warranty, thank God!). 

Honestly, looking back, this week has not been a whole lot different from any other. Obstacles have arisen and been overcome. Joys and concerns alternatively had our attention. We experienced success and adversity. All in all, it’s just been another typical, atypical week. Yet somehow, in a way I can only appreciate but never define, Christ has felt closer. This relaxation and trust discipline - which I am beginning to understand is God’s foundational spiritual goal for me during this year’s journey through His Word - is finally taking hold and becoming real. So, today, Jesus has asked me to claim that and mull it over not just in my mind, but in my heart.

Most things in life actually are determined by how we approach them. Trials certainly will be trials (and not opportunities) if we elect to fight them on our own. Stress will be stress as long as we insist on carrying it alone. Anger and frustration are the inevitable perspectives of those without hope, or those too myopic to see their blessings. The Holy Spirit offers His children a far better way. The Lord actually wants not just to walk along with us, but to share our burdens and to always, always, be our source of joy and hope. I am learning I spend far too much time struggling against things I cannot control and am not supposed to control. I must be reconciled to the circumstances and situations the world and the Lord send my way, and trust my Creator to make all things work to good, even as I adapt to His timing. Nothing about any of this is easy. However, twice in the last two days, my wife has commented on what she has seen as a new and unusual calmness in me. Regardless of how I feel at any given time, then, it’s beginning to look just possible that God actually is making progress with my redemption and restoration. That is a very cool thing to know.