Joel Field Notes: I Will Restore
Below, Steph shares what she learns from the book of Joel. Don’t miss out on digging deeper into this book at our conference. Registration is still open!
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25
Three years ago, I lived in Hyderabad, India for a work assignment. While the children were at school, I wasn’t always able to fill the days with constant work. I decided I would flip through my Bible over the course of my stay and write down every “I will” statement the Lord made.
There are a lot of them. As I wrote them down, uncovering true diamonds of God’s character, I felt pulled closer to the heart of He who I’d been following for so long.
I will not leave you or forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)
I will make for you a great name. . . (2 Samuel 7:9)
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you. . . (Isaiah 41:10)
I will let you hear my words. (Jeremiah 18:2)
I will rescue my flock. . . (Ezekial 34:22)
I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people. . . (Hosea 2:23)
I will restore. . . (Joel 2:25)
I think 2:25 is my favorite verse in Joel - “I will restore to you the years . . . which I sent among you.” God is not ignoring the fact that He is all-powerful and, had He wanted to, could’ve stopped the swarm of locusts. He’s an honest guy - He’s owning His part in the sending. I think the most powerful part of this verse is in the beginning - “I will restore to you the years . . .”
In Joel, it’s the years overtaken by the locusts. Maybe in your story, it’s the years cancer took your energy, health, and time. Perhaps, it’s the years babies were removed from your womb or your arms. For my ongoing story, it is the years of darkness and depleted energy that chronic anxiety and depression take from me.
But He will restore them all, will He not?
He may allow hurt and pain, confusion and miscommunication, but He wastes nothing.
He will restore the time, energy, crops, happiness that has been lost in seasons of darkness or despair.
I am no Bible expert, but I believe the book of Joel reveals the character of God in mighty ways, which ultimately means two things - God’s justice prevails, always. And His restoration is radical. He sent the locusts in judgement, but not all hurts of this world are for the same reasons. He wastes no moment, no hurt, no hiccup, no moment of sorrow in the stories of His kids. He wastes nothing, He restores everything. And He will always do what He says He will, hallelujah.
Steph Duff wants to live in a world where every human, whether small or regular-sized, learns to use their voice and is seen and known. When she's not traveling and story telling with Back2Back Ministries, you'll likely find her drinking excessive cups of coffee, with her nose in a book, or daydreaming about India. Her favorite scripture is Habakkuk 1:5, and she prays for a world in which Jesus is the name on every lip. Learn a little more about her love for semi-colons, what stirs her blood, and the yearnings of her heart over at www.stephaniduff.wordpress.com.