Devotional Thoughts
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.” — Joel 2:25 (NKJV)
One of the most beautiful promises in Scripture is God’s promise of restoration.
Biblical restoration is God’s work of renewing, healing, rebuilding, and bringing people back into His intended purpose and relationship with Him.
When we read Joel 2:25, we notice that God specifically mentions different kinds of locusts—the swarming locust, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust.
Each type of locust had a different assignment. One attacked the roots, another the stems, another the leaves, and another the fruit. Together they left devastation behind.
Life can sometimes feel the same way.
Perhaps one attack comes against your health while another affects your marriage. One battle targets your finances while another touches your children. Sometimes the losses don’t come one at a time—they come all at once.
Yet God says, “I will restore.”
The Bible shows us that restoration comes in many forms. God restores those who repent and return to Him. He restores what the enemy has stolen. He restores after loss, grief, failure, disappointment, and seasons that seem wasted.
The path to restoration looks different for each person, but the promise remains the same: God is able to restore.
Restoration After Disobedience
In Joel’s prophecy, we discover something surprising. God says that the locusts were His army.
At first, this may seem difficult to understand. Why would a loving God allow destruction among His people?
The preceding chapters explain that Israel had turned away from God. They had pursued other gods and walked in disobedience. Through the devastation, God was calling them back to Himself.
Yet even in His correction, we see His mercy.
God did not abandon His people. Instead, He invited them to repent and promised that if they returned to Him, He would restore what had been lost.
How comforting it is to know that our failures do not disqualify us from God’s restoration.
We see the same truth in the life of David.
After his sin with Bathsheba and the death of Uriah, David was confronted by the prophet Nathan. In genuine repentance, David cried out:
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12)
Notice what David longed for. He did not ask for power, status, or success. He asked for restored joy.
Sin has a way of robbing us of peace and fellowship with God. Yet when we repent, God restores.
As Scripture reminds us:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Restoration After the Enemy Has Stolen
Not every loss is the result of personal sin.
Sometimes the enemy comes to steal.
Proverbs says:
“Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold.” (Proverbs 6:31)
When the enemy steals your joy, peace, confidence, freedom, hope, or opportunities, God’s Word declares that restoration is possible.
In the New Testament, when Jesus visited Zacchaeus, the tax collector responded to God’s grace by saying:
“If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (Luke 19:8)
Restoration is woven throughout Scripture.
Sometimes we lose things because we were careless. Other times we lose things despite doing everything right. Sometimes there is no obvious explanation at all.
But regardless of how the loss happened, God’s ability to restore remains unchanged.
Restoration Doesn’t Always Look the Same
One of the most important truths about restoration is that it does not look identical for everyone.
The people Zacchaeus had cheated received back what was taken from them and more.
David received the joy he had lost.
But what happens when the thing you lost cannot be returned?
Consider Naomi.
She lost her husband and both of her sons. No amount of restoration could bring them back.
Yet God did not leave her empty.
Through Ruth, God restored Naomi’s future and gave her the privilege of holding Obed, the grandfather of King David and part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-17).
The restoration was different from what she expected, but it was still restoration.
Then there is Job.
He lost his children, his wealth, his health, and everything he had built. God eventually restored his fortunes and blessed him abundantly (Job 42:10-17).
Yet Job still carried the memory of what he had lost.
Sometimes God restores exactly what was taken.
Other times He brings something new that fulfils His greater purpose.
Perhaps you lost a relationship, but God brought a healthier one.
Perhaps you lost a job, but God opened a door you never imagined.
Perhaps you lost a dream, only to discover God’s plan was far greater.
Restoration is not always about getting back the same thing.
Sometimes it is about receiving God’s best for the next season.
What To Do On Your Road To Restoration
1. Encourage Yourself in the Lord
When David returned to Ziklag and discovered that the Amalekites had taken their families and possessions, he was devastated.
Yet Scripture tells us:
“But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)
Before restoration came, David encouraged himself in God.
Don’t wait until everything changes before you find hope.
Strengthen yourself in God’s promises today.
2. Enquire of the Lord
After encouraging himself, David sought God’s direction.
“Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” (1 Samuel 30:8)
Instead of turning first to people, David turned to God.
On your journey toward restoration, seek God’s wisdom through prayer and His Word. Ask Him what your next step should be.
A Final Thought
One thing is clear: restoration is only necessary when something has been lost.
Loss hurts.
It can bring grief, disappointment, confusion, and even shame.
But God is not intimidated by what has been broken.
Whether you are grieving a loved one, recovering from failure, rebuilding after loss, or waiting for God to redeem years that feel wasted, His promise still stands.
The God who allowed the Israelites to return, restored David’s joy, rebuilt Naomi’s future, and blessed Job again is the same God who sees you today.
Your loss is not the end of your story.
God is still writing.
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord.” — Jeremiah 30:17
Reflection Questions
- What “locusts” have been attacking your life in this season?
- Is there an area where God is calling you to repentance before restoration can begin?
- Have you been expecting God to restore something in a specific way, while He may be preparing something different?
- Like David, how can you encourage yourself in the Lord today?
- What is one practical step you can take this week as you wait on God’s restoration?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You are a God of restoration. Thank You that no loss, failure, disappointment, or wound is beyond Your ability to redeem.
Lord, where the locusts have eaten, restore. Where the enemy has stolen, restore. Where sin has damaged, restore. Where grief has left empty spaces, restore.
Help me to trust You even when restoration does not look the way I expected. Give me the faith to believe that You are still working behind the scenes for my good and for Your glory.
Like David, help me to strengthen myself in You. Teach me to seek Your face before I seek the opinions of others. Lead me in the path You have prepared for me.
Heal every wounded place in my heart and remind me that my story is not finished. Thank You that You are able to redeem lost years and create beauty from ashes.
I place my hope in You today.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Did this devotional speak to you? Share it with another woman who needs the reminder that our God is a Restorer—able to heal, rebuild, redeem, and bring beauty from the ashes.
And if you would like more biblical encouragement for your faith journey, explore our collection of devotionals and faith-based resources:
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May these resources encourage you to trust God, live boldly, and walk confidently in His promises.