God Has Restored

God Has Restored

Hook
Sometimes life can make you feel as though you have lost too much to recover. But what the enemy took is not beyond the reach of God. God is a Restorer.

Scripture

“All the cities from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored. Israel also freed the surrounding countryside from Philistine control. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.”(1 Samuel 7:14)

Explanation
Israel had suffered a devastating loss. Thousands had died, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured, and the Philistines had taken control of their cities and land. Yet God did not leave Israel in that condition.

God went to war against the Philistines and defeated them. What they had taken from Israel was restored.

Notice the language of the text: “were restored.” God did not merely give Israel something new; He brought back what had been lost.

This gives us a beautiful picture of what Christ has done for us. He went to war on our behalf, defeated sin, Satan and death, and gave us the victory.

Application
In Christ, you are not waiting for restoration—you are living from what Christ has already restored.

Your peace is restored.
Your joy is restored.
Your relationship with God is restored.
Your hope is restored.
Your victory is restored.
Your right standing with God is restored.

The enemy may try to make you believe that something is still missing, but Christ has already accomplished the work. Your responsibility is to believe it, receive it, and appropriate it by faith.

You don't have to beg God to give you what Christ has already provided. You need to take hold of it.

Peace is yours—appropriate it.
Joy is yours—appropriate it.
Victory is yours—appropriate it.
Freedom is yours—appropriate it.

As Paul reminds us:

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”(Romans 8:37)

Christ has won the victory. Now live in the reality of that victory.

Reflection
What has Christ already made available to you that you need to consciously appropriate and walk in by faith?

Prayer
Father, thank You for what Christ has already accomplished for me. Help me to recognize, receive, and walk in everything You have made available to me. I choose to live from victory, not for victory. In Jesus' name, amen.

Discussion Question
What is one thing Christ has already restored or made available to you that you need to consciously appropriate and walk in?

Have a fruitful day.

(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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