I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” (Hosea 2:23)
There’s something beautiful about old, broken things being restored, isn’t there? I believe that, when we see such beauty, we get a taste of what’s to come when God returns and restores us to a place of perfect communion with him. When our feeble bodies are cast off and we are made new, we will then realize that joy of restoration.
The story of God and His people is one of restoration. The nation of Israel had wandered from God, and she would face the consequences of her choices by being sent into exile. Nonetheless, God did not abandon His chosen people forever; there was hope for a future restoration. We know now that, through Jesus’ death, Gentiles are welcomed as a part of the New Israel. We now have hope for restoration, too.
Since restoration is part of God’s character, it needs to be part of our character, too. Whether it’s a broken relationship with a family member, friend, or neighbor, we need to be seeking to restore – refusing to hold a grudge but desiring to bring things back to the place where they need to be. We aren’t responsible for the actions of others, but we are responsible for doing everything in our means to seek forgiveness for whatever wrongs we’ve committed.
Is there anyone with whom you need restoration? Don’t delay. In pursuing restoration, you are taking on the character of God.
Father, I want to be about restoration. Give me wisdom to see the relationships in which I have caused discord. Let me, in humility, seek to bring things back to where they need to be. Please be honored and glorified when restoration takes place, and enable true healing to take place.
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