He Will Restore When You Return

Text: Ezekiel 37: 1-14, Job 8: 5-8

In the first text above, God proved his Majesty and power by doing the unthinkable. The account in the book of Ezekiel revealed how God raised dry bones and breathes life into them. Israel disobeyed God by their idolatry and pervasiveness, they forgot their God and went their own ways of ignorance and sin.

God, who is a righteous judge and holy, cannot stand the sight of sin. As such, He (God) compared the conducts of the children of Israel to the uncleanness of a woman during her (physical) impurity i.e. during menstruation. The children of Israel incurred His wrath and He “scattered them among the nations, they were dispersed through the countries; according to their conducts and their idolatrous deeds I (God) judged and punished them.”

Every time we go our own ways and forsake the statues and commandments of God, we incur His wrath. Most times, the consequences are more than what we can bear: incurable sicknesses, poverty, disappointment, failure, death, loss, among others. But God demands that we walk with Him in holiness, love and in true obedience.

The account of Ezekiel often makes reference to the fact that God is “The Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service”. This is to remind us that God tolerates no compromise and is ever ready to punish whoever offends Him, and this He does out of His love for us. “For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves…”

The case of Israel was not exceptional in the sense that the Lord can do anything to restore us back to the place of His glory when we repent and turn back from our evil and sinful ways. The Israelites were being ridiculed by their captors, defiling the holy name of God. In His infinite mercies, God sought to vindicate them for His name sake. And the perfect analogy on how He did that was portrayed in the dry bones coming to life (the unthinkable).

Prophet Ezekiel said: “And I looked and behold, there were sinews upon (the bones) and flesh came upon them and skin covered them over, but there was no breath or spirit in them. Then said He to me, prophesy to the breath and spirit, son of man, and say to the breath and spirit, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath and spirit, and breathe upon the slain that they may live.

“So I prophesied… and they lived and stood upon their feet… Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, our bones are dried up and our hope is lost; we are completely cut off.”

However, God didn't forget His promise to their fathers and said: “I will open your graves and cause you to come out… I will bring you back home to the land of Israel.” This same promise of restoration is what God is offering to those who are ready to let go of their wayward ways and seek His face.

Our God is merciful and never ignores anyone who comes to Him repentant and humble in heart. So you have to make up your mind today whether to return to God and be restored or remain where you are, stagnant and retrogressive.

But “if you will seek God diligently and make your supplication to the Almighty, then, if you are pure and upright, surely He will bestir Himself for you and make your righteous dwelling prosperous again. And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.”

These are the promises of God to restore your blessings and abundance and even give you much more than you once had; only that you return to Him with all sincerity and purity of heart.

Remember the story of Job how he lost it all in one day? Did God give up on him? This same God is the same and never changes. Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change…” Because He doesn't change, so His promises for you won’t change. No matter how far off the track you have gone, He will welcome you and call you His own only when you return with humility and a broken, contrite heart.

“Acquaint now yourself with Him (agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will) and be at peace; by that (you shall prosper and great) good shall come to you. If you return to the Almighty, (and submit and humble yourself before Him) you will be built up; if you put away unrighteousness far from your tent…then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God”(Job 22:21, 23-26).

This is the invite of God to you today that you return to Him, and He will restore all your lost glories, blessings and favors that the locust has consumed. He is able!

Thank you for reading.

===Written by: Jacobs Adewale (The Admin) ===

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