What will God restore that has been lost? Is there anything God will not restore? How do I cooperate with God's
plan to restore?
In this lesson, you will study (1) God's restoration promises and program of which we have historical record;
(2) the biblical concepts of restoration; and (3) God's restoration promises for your life.
You will notice that I have placed this chapter late in our faith studies. Why? It is in our nature to study
faith so we can accomplish our personal agenda. I am always grieved, and I think our Lord is too, when faith is
sought out only for the meeting of personal need.
I recognize that this concern can be a trap. On the one hand, God wants to meet all of our needs (Matt. 6:33).
On the other, God is actually up to something! He does not exist for the sole purpose of meeting our needs. From
eternity, God has committed Himself to a course of action from which He has never swerved. In executing that eternal
plan, He graciously meets our need. But the plan is much more than merely relieving the human condition.
Faith is at its best when you and I cooperate with God's eternal plan and join Him in His quest, instead of
requiring Him to join us in ours! As we join in God's eternal purpose, we discover our needs being met while en
route with Him to a final glory in which we have been included.
Restoration implies that something has been lost. No one can live on a fallen planet, deal with personal fallen
nature, and face fallen nature in the lives of others, without suffering loss. Learning to live in faith will help
you keep loss from regularly happening but it will still happen. When it does, because you have committed yourself
to His agenda, you will experience the gracious and powerful restoring ministries of your God!
Historical Examples of God's Restoring Power
Zechariah and Haggai are two of the prophets belonging to the Restoration Period. The Restoration Period is
generally understood to be that time after much of Israel's population was deported to Babylon. Israel was then
repopulated by the Babylonians, and later the Persian empire. Even before the deportation began, after years of
humiliating defeats at the hands of the Assyrians, God spoke through His prophets, indicating that Israel would
be restored to her lands. As the Restoration began to occur just as God had promised, Zechariah and Haggai were
used to remind the people of God's plan.
Haggai
Haggai prophesied during the efforts of Ezra and the people to rebuild Solomon's temple that had been demolished.
The date of Haggai's ministry was approximately 520 B.C. and
is recorded in the Old Testament book bearing his name.
The late Sam Middlebrook wrote of Haggai's ministry, “The Book of Haggai addresses three problems common to
all people of all times, and gives three inspired solutions to those problems. The first problem is disinterest
(1:1–15). The people had returned from exile for the stated purpose of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra
1:2–4) and had made a start on their assigned task; but opposition had appeared and the work had stopped. The people
had become more concerned with building beautiful houses for themselves, perhaps in an attempt to blot out the
memory of their exile in a strange land (1:4). To wake them from their apathetic attitude, God speaks twice to
the people. They first need to realize that they are fruitless (1:5, 6) because they have turned from God's house
to their own houses (1:7–9). All their efforts at building their own kingdom can never produce lasting results.
After seeing their problem, the people then need to understand that God will accept what they do, that He will
be glorified if they will only yield to Him what they have (1:8).
“The second problem is discouragement (2:1–9). Some of the older people in the band of returned exiles
had seen Solomon's temple when they were children, so that no building, however beautiful, could compare with the
glory of that former temple (2:3). The discouragement of the older people had quickly influenced the younger ones
until, less than a month after the rebuilding began, work on the temple had ceased. But again Haggai brings a message
designed to deal decisively with discouragement. The solution has two parts: one to deal with the immediate problem,
the other to bring a long-range solution. For the present, it is enough for the people to “be strong … be strong
… be strong … and work” (2:4). The other key to overcoming discouragement is for the builders to know that they
are building for the day when God will so fill this house with His glory that it will surpass the glory of Solomon's
temple (2:9).
“The final issue Haggai has to face is the problem of dissatisfaction (2:10–23). Now that the people
are working, they expect an immediate reversal of all their years of inactivity. So the prophet comes with a question
for the priests (2:12, 13) about clean and unclean things and their influence on one another. The response of the
priests is that uncleanness is infectious while holiness is not. The application is obvious: Do not expect the
work of three months to undo the neglect of sixteen years. The Lord's next word to the people is a surprise: ‘But
from this day I will bless you’ (2:19). The people needed to understand that God's blessings cannot be earned,
but come as gracious gifts from a giving God. God has chosen Zerubbabel to be a sign (2:23), that is, to represent
the servant nature to be fulfilled in Zerubbabel's greatest Son, Jesus. Note Zerubbabel's name in both the genealogical
lists in the Gospels (Matt. 1; Luke 3), indicating that God's final, highest blessing is a Person, His Son Jesus
Christ.” [Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991), Introduction to Haggai,
1356–1357.]
Read Haggai's first prophecy in 1:2–11, and answer the following questions:
• The statement “Consider your ways,” is used twice, and brackets a description of their plight. How would you
describe their condition in your words?
• Why did the Lord blow away what the people had brought home?
• The Lord has addressed sowing, eating and drinking, clothing, and wages. What does He say He will do about
the forces of nature?
• In response to the prophet's first message, what did the people do?
• What did the Lord do that made it possible for the people to respond? (1:14)
Word Wealth
Stirred, 'ur (Strong's #5782; ‘oor). To arouse, awaken, stir up, excite, raise up;
to incite; to arouse to action; to open one's eyes. Occurring about seventy-five times in the Old Testament, 'ur
is used of an eagle stirring up its nest (Deut. 32:11) and of a musical instrument being awakened or warmed up
for playing (Ps. 108:2). In Isaiah 50:4, the Lord awakens the prophet each morning and “awakens” his ear to hear
God's message. See also Isaiah 51:9, which speaks of the arm of the Lord being awakened or roused into action.
The present reference is similar: God wakes up the spirit of Zerubbabel (and all the people) inciting him (them)
to repair God's temple. [Ibid., 1359, “Word wealth: Haggai 1:14, stirred.” ]
Read Haggai 2:4–9, and answer these questions:
1. In verse 2:4, the people are encouraged to be strong. What promise does the Lord make for the restoration
process?
2. What promise does the Lord make about the glory of this latter temple (the one they were then building)?
3. From verse 2:7, how will the Lord accomplish this glory of the latter temple?
You have been studying the prophet's word relating to the historical event recorded in the Book of Ezra. It
would help your understanding of how God works in the program of restoration if you were to read this book.
In Ezra 1:7–11, there is a curious noting of certain temple artifacts. King Cyrus of Persia had ordered that
these instruments which had been taken from Solomon's temple before its destruction should then be returned with
Ezra. The verses even count out the number of knives!
Why is this partial inventory included in scripture? Read Jeremiah 27:21, 22. Approximately seventy years before,
God made a restoration promise concerning the articles of the temple. “I will bring them up and restore them to
this place.” Why is this important? It indicates that whatever has been consecrated unto the Lord as His possession
is just that! I've always thought it humorous to feel the Lord might have said, “And those knives, don't forget
those knives. I want them back too. They're Mine!”
It's acceptable humor, but take great pleasure in this fact. Whatever you have consecrated unto the Lord—your
life, your children—He treats as His and He will see to it that they are brought back!
Zechariah
Zechariah's prophetic ministry addresses the same people but a different construction project. While Haggai's
focus was on the temple, Zechariah's assignment had to do with the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem.
As the Book of Ezra gives the historical background for Haggai's prophetic ministry, the Book of Nehemiah does
the same for Zechariah's prophecies.
The layout of the Book of Zechariah differs vastly from what you have just reviewed in Haggai. It contains a
series of visions, their presentation to the people, and accompanying words of prophecy.
One of the prophecies having to do with the rebuilding of the city walls is found in Zechariah 4:6–10. Read
it carefully to answer the following questions:
1. What will not bring about restoration or the rebuilding of the city walls?
2. What will bring about restoration?
3. What will happen to the mountain, the obstacle which seeks to prevent the restoration?
4. When the final stone, the capstone (which many think is something called the “amen stone,” the stone that
locks the arch into place!), is placed, what is being shouted? What does this mean to you?
Word Wealth
The word might is translated “wealth,” “valor” (courage), “virtue” (character), “an army.” The issue
here is dependence. What empowers your faith for the restoration you desire? As important as all these are in the
program of restoration, you must not allow yourself to depend on human resources, courage, sheer numbers, or force.
Ultimately, true restoration is impossible without God! The word power is almost exclusively a strength
word and is translated so. As the Hebrew prophets and poets often do, this coupling of might and power is a literary
and polemic tool. The one word is built upon by the other, so that when combined, a fuller picture can be seen.
Here, the prophet insists that restoration is impossible by human might and power!
Biblical Concepts of Restoration
The concept of biblical restoration begins with the Law. As an example, read Exodus 22. The first several verses
deal with restoring something stolen, and the making of restitution.
Word Wealth
To make restitution, shalam (Strong's #7999; shaw-lam). figuratively, to be (or
to make completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications). Translated
as “make amends,” “finish,” “full,” “make good,” “repay,” “make restitution.” It has the idea of returning something
to its rightful owner, or making amends, in the sense of attempting to put things back the way they were.
To restore, shuwb (Strong's #7725; shoob). To turn back (hence, away), literally or figuratively
(not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point). This word carries the notion of a fresh beginning.
Going back to the start may be impossible in terms of time or geography. However, “restore” in this sense makes
it possible to begin again.
If the Law calls for restitution that replaces with more than what was lost, it is logical to assume that the
Lord who authored that law would do the same! This is exactly what you read in your study of His restoring the
temple: He said that the glory of the latter house would be greater than the former. When He restores, He does
something that makes the restored of higher quality than what was lost. In Zechariah 4:10, did you notice that
the prophecy appears to rebuke the people for thinking that the rebuilt walls were to be despised as small?
Read Job 42:12. What does it say about the condition of Job at the end of his life compared to what his life
was like before he experienced so much tragedy? Though Job is often used as the example of the one you wouldn't
want to be like, the blessing of the Lord on this man who trusted Him through adversity is powerful.
In Isaiah 42:22, what is the condition of the people? As you read their circumstance of abuse, notice what the
prophet says they are unable to do. They are so victimized that they are not able even to ask for restoration!
Sadly, this is often true with those who have become victims. Whether real or perceived, the victim cannot conceive
that it could ever be as it used to be, let alone think that it could be better.
Use your concordance and look up the references associated with the words restore, renew, rebuild, or build
again. As you read these Bible passages, you will begin to see God's attitude towards restoring to you the things
that have been lost.
This book of lessons deals with different subjects related to the life of faith. However, the book is not about
those subjects; its about faith! The goal of this chapter has been to provoke your thinking by reviewing some of
the historical illustrations of God's willingness to restore, and His methods to accomplish restoration. In the
preceding section, you were asked to think about the basic restoration concepts. Now we come to the final section
of our study in which we review restoration promises.
In thinking about this section, I have been drawn to many of those who will be reading this study guide, and
who are asking restoration questions. If we were counseling together, and you asked the question, “How can I believe
for my marriage to be restored?” or, “How can I believe for my emotions to be restored?” I would inevitably direct
your attention to one, some, or all of these promises.
Why? Ultimately, restoration is possible only when you believe it's possible. Believing in the possibility of
restoration is provoked by the Word of God.
Aren't There Some Things That Can't Be Restored?
Some might ask, “Is there anything that cannot be restored?” To that question, I would respond with the words
of Jesus. Write out each of these verses in full:
Matthew 17:20:
Matthew 19:26:
Mark 10:27:
Luke 18:27:
Luke 1:37:
Word Wealth
Although translated properly as it is, Luke 1:37 contains the Greek word, rhema, which means an utterance,
or spoken word. In this setting, the angel has told Mary, “No Word God speaks is void of strength.” Isaiah said
something on this order, “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Is. 55:11).
When you have a promise from God, you have the strength of God to bring that promise to pass.
Restoration Promises
In these promises, you will discover what God will restore. Though I have provided the verses, please read them
in your Bible at the same time. If they are not already marked, mark them, perhaps by underlining key words or
phrases. If the Lord should speak something of His restoration promise into your own circumstance, make a note
of that thought in the space I have provided and make a note of it in your Bible, with the date.
The lost joy of salvation: Psalm 51:10–12—“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of
thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (KJV)
This prayer of David is his response to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit following David's sin with Bathsheba.
It is included in the Scriptures because it models the possibility for the receiving of forgiveness and the restoration
of the joy of salvation.
The lost sense of justice: Isaiah 1:26—“And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors
as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (KJV)
The thought here is that the ravages of sin have brought about an insensitivity to justice. A lawlessness rules
without the honoring of absolutes, or the framework upon which a just community can be based. God promises to restore
His people so their lives can be based on justice, which makes life available as it was intended to be lived.
The lost motivation for living: Isaiah 57:18—“I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him
also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.” (KJV)
Read the verses preceding v. 18. What kind of attitude draws this promise of restoration from God? Notice the
verse at the end of Isaiah 57. “No rest for the wicked” stands in contrast to the restoration of comfort and helps
define what comfort means. It doesn't mean comfort in the sense of convenience. It has to do with no more mourning.
God's restoring work will remove that peculiar kind of sadness that robs a person of his motivation for life. When
the penitent one takes the steps to move beyond personal sadness or mourning and becomes contrite before the Lord,
then the Lord will renew him in such a fashion that the ability to live again becomes possible.
Lost intimacy with God: Jeremiah 30:17—“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of
thy wounds, saith the LORD;
because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” (KJV)
This promise is special because it refers to an end of judgment. When the prophet Jeremiah spoke, “I know the
thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected
end” (Jer 29:11), he was referring to the end of Israel's dispersion; when they would be brought back to the land.
The power of the Word is that it is spoken during the season when Israel is reaping the judgment she has sown.
Even then, God is saying, “This will pass. This is not what I intend for you. I will bring you to peace. I will
bring you to the expectations which are still possible because you are My people.” The wounds in Jeremiah 30:17
are not the wounds caused by men. These are wounds received from the judgment of God! And so, to the one who has
experienced the judgment of the Lord for sins he or she has committed, we can confidently give expression to the
heart and will of God. He wants to heal the wounds of His judgment and restore your heart to Himself.
The lost time: Joel 2:25—“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm,
and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” (KJV)
It would be enough if the Lord had promised to restore what had been ravaged by the plagues of locusts. Instead,
He moved beyond the material substance, extending the promise of restoration to the time which had been lost because
of the plagues! Sin and its consequences rob man of his most valuable possession: time. But when the heart returns
to God, restoration of lost years in a marriage can be restored; lost years in parenting can be restored; the lost
years of youth, when valuable lessons could have been learned, can be restored. Your years … can be restored!
The lost power to live strongly: Isaiah 40:31—“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.” (KJV)
This restoration also has a condition. The renewing of strength is available only to those who wait upon the
Lord. Use a concordance to see how this word is translated throughout the Psalms. The notion is that of dependency.
The concept of being dependent on someone else is not popular in our culture! It is thought to be a sign of weakness,
of dysfunctionality. But in matters of your relationship with the Lord, dependence is a strength factor. Your strength
depends upon your weakness! In fact, isn't that what the Apostle Paul said? “When I am weak, then I am strong!”
(2 Cor. 12:10). Also look up in your concordance how the word “renew” is translated. You will discover it has to
do with change; renewing in the sense of something passing away, and the new taking its place.
The lost youthfulness in life: Psalm 103:5—“Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that
thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (KJV)
The idea here is that regardless of age, God's restoring work will help you stay young. The eagle is referenced
because of the molting, the process of replenishing its feathers. It may sound humorous, but eagles can't fly without
feathers. They may have the muscles, the innate skill, and the opportunity, but without feathers, no high flying!
Some Christians are like eagles without feathers! They have the muscles (the strength of purpose), the skill (they
know the scriptural principles), and they have the opportunity, but they don't fly. Only when they let God satisfy
their appetite with the good things of His Word, and allow Him to renew their youthful outlook, only then can they
fly!
Faith Alive
Now that you have begun your study on Faith and Restoration, write out what you are trusting God to restore
in your life and in the lives of those you love.
From Power Faith: Balancing Faith in Words and Works by Roy Hicks, JR. with Jack W. Hayford. Copyright 1994 by Jack W. Hayford.
