SERMON: Restoration Week – God’s Glory
Scripture Reference:
Joel 2:25 “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.”
Joel 2:26-27 “You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.”
23 FEBURARY 2025
Introduction:
- We serve a God of restoration! No matter what we have lost, God promises to restore and renew.
- This week, we declare a season of restoration—not just physically or financially, but spiritually, emotionally, and in every area of life.
- God’s glory is revealed through restoration!
We serve a God of restoration! This profound truth is woven throughout the pages of Scripture, revealing the heart of a loving Father who desires to bring wholeness, renewal, and healing to every broken area of our lives. No matter what we have lost—whether it’s time, relationships, opportunities, health, or even our sense of purpose—God promises to restore and renew. His restorative power is not limited by the magnitude of our loss or the depth of our pain. He is the God who specializes in turning ashes into beauty, despair into hope, and brokenness into wholeness.
This week, we declare a season of restoration over our lives! But this restoration is not limited to just the physical or financial realms. Yes, God can restore our health, our finances, and our material possessions, but His restoration goes much deeper. It touches every area of our lives—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and relationally. He restores our joy when we’ve been weighed down by sorrow. He restores our peace when we’ve been overwhelmed by anxiety. He restores our faith when we’ve been shaken by doubt. He restores our relationships when they’ve been fractured by conflict. There is no area of our lives that is beyond His reach or His ability to restore.
God’s glory is revealed through restoration! When He steps into our brokenness and begins to rebuild, renew, and revive, it is a powerful testimony of His love, power, and faithfulness. Restoration is not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about revealing who God is. It’s about showcasing His goodness, His mercy, and His ability to bring life out of death. When God restores, He doesn’t just bring us back to where we were—He takes us further, giving us double for our trouble and making our latter days greater than our former ones. His restoration is always marked by His glory, and it leaves us in awe of His greatness.
As we enter this season of restoration, let us approach it with faith and expectation. Let us believe that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20). Let us declare His promises over our lives, trusting that He is already at work, even if we can’t see it yet. And let us remember that restoration is not just for our benefit—it’s for His glory. When God restores, He doesn’t just change our circumstances; He changes us. He fills us with joy, peace, and gratitude, and our lives become a living testimony of His power and love.
So today, let us embrace this truth: We serve a God of restoration! No matter what we’ve lost, no matter how broken we feel, no matter how impossible the situation may seem, God is able to restore and renew. This is our season of restoration—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and in every area of life. Let us step into it with faith, knowing that God’s glory will be revealed through our restoration. Are you ready to receive it? Let’s believe together for the miraculous work of God in our lives!
- God is a God of Complete Restoration.
Joel 2:25 – “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.”
Throughout Scripture, we see God’s heart for restoring what has been lost, broken, or stolen. In Joel 2:25, God promises to restore the years that the locusts have eaten—symbolizing the devastation caused by sin, disobedience, or even life’s trials. This promise is not just about material or physical restoration but encompasses every area of our lives. God’s restoration is complete, touching our relationships, health, finances, and spiritual vitality. He is a God who specializes in turning hopeless situations into testimonies of His glory.
Reflection:
The imagery of locusts in Joel 2:25 represents the destructive forces that can invade our lives. Locusts consume everything in their path, leaving behind barrenness and despair. Similarly, the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), leaving us feeling empty and defeated. However, God’s promise of restoration reminds us that no loss is permanent when He is involved. He can restore what was stolen, wasted, or broken. Think about the areas in your life where you feel loss—perhaps it’s a broken relationship, missed opportunities, or a season of spiritual dryness. God’s promise is that He can and will restore these areas, bringing life and abundance where there was once desolation.
Application:
To apply this truth, begin by identifying the areas in your life that need restoration. Bring these before God in prayer, trusting that He is able to restore what has been lost. Declare Joel 2:25 over your life, believing that God is working to bring complete restoration. For example, if you’ve experienced a broken relationship, pray for reconciliation and trust God to heal and restore it. If you’ve lost time or opportunities, ask God to redeem those years and open new doors for you. Remember, no situation is beyond God’s power to restore. As you trust Him, you will begin to see His hand at work, bringing renewal and hope.
- The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10), but God brings abundant life.
- No loss is permanent when God is involved! He restores what was stolen, wasted, or broken.
- Trust that God can restore broken relationships, lost time, missed opportunities, and even joy and peace.
- No situation is beyond God’s power to restore!
- Restoration Comes When We Return to God
- Joel 2:12-13 – “Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments.”
Introduction:
Restoration is not just a one-sided act of God; it requires our response. In Joel 2:12-13, God calls His people to return to Him with all their hearts, through fasting, weeping, and mourning. This call to repentance is the foundation of true restoration. When we realign our hearts with God’s will, we position ourselves to receive His restoration. It’s not just about receiving blessings but about being brought back into a deep, intimate relationship with God. Restoration begins with a heart that is fully surrendered to Him.
Reflection:
The act of returning to God involves humility and honesty. It requires us to acknowledge our sins, failures, and areas where we have strayed from His will. In Joel’s time, the people had turned away from God, leading to devastation and loss. Yet, God’s response was not one of condemnation but of invitation—He called them to return to Him. This reflects His heart for us today. No matter how far we’ve strayed, God is always ready to welcome us back. True restoration starts when we repent and realign our lives with His purposes. It’s about restoring our relationship with Him first, which then leads to the restoration of every other area of our lives.
Application:
This week, take time to seek God in prayer, fasting, and worship. Examine your heart and identify any areas where you need to repent and return to God. Surrender every area of your life that needs restoration—whether it’s your relationships, finances, health, or spiritual walk. As you do this, trust that God will begin to restore what has been broken. For example, if you’ve been distant from God, spend time in His presence, reading His Word and listening to His voice. If you’ve been holding onto bitterness or unforgiveness, release it to Him and ask for His healing. Restoration starts with a heart that is fully turned toward God.
- True restoration starts when we repent and realign with God’s will.
- Restoration is not just about blessings; it’s about being brought back into a deep relationship with God.
- Take time this week to seek God in prayer, fasting, and worship.
- Surrender every area of your life that needs restoration.
- God Restores More Than What Was Lost.
- Job 42:10 – “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
Introduction:
One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s restoration is that He doesn’t just bring us back to where we were—He takes us further. In Job 42:10, we see that God restored Job’s fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. This principle of double restoration is a testament to God’s abundance and generosity. When God restores, He doesn’t just fix what was broken; He adds to it, making it better than before. His restoration always exceeds what was lost, revealing His glory and power in our lives.
Reflection:
Job’s story is a powerful example of God’s restorative power. After losing everything—his family, wealth, and health—Job remained faithful to God. In the end, God not only restored what Job had lost but gave him double. This shows that God’s restoration is not limited by our circumstances or the enemy’s attacks. When God’s glory is revealed in our lives, people will see the evidence of His restoration power. Think about the areas in your life where you’ve experienced loss. God promises that He can turn your pain into purpose and your loss into greater gain. His restoration is not just about recovering what was lost but about experiencing His abundance in new and unexpected ways.
Application:
To apply this truth, begin to believe that God can do more than just restore what was lost. Expect double restoration in areas where the enemy has attacked you. For example, if you’ve experienced financial loss, trust that God can not only restore your finances but also bless you with greater abundance. If you’ve lost a job or opportunity, believe that God has something better in store for you. Start declaring God’s promises over your life, such as Job 42:10, and expect to see His hand at work. As you trust Him, you will begin to see His restoration in ways that exceed your expectations.
- God doesn’t just restore—He gives back double! His restoration always exceeds what was lost.
- When God’s glory is revealed in your life, people will see the evidence of His restoration power.
- Believe that God can turn your pain into purpose and your loss into greater gain.
- Expect double restoration in areas where the enemy has attacked you.
- The Glory of the Latter House Will Be Greater.
- Haggai 2:9 “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Introduction:
In Haggai 2:9, God promises that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former. This promise speaks to the future blessings and restoration that God has in store for His people. It reminds us that our best days are not behind us but ahead of us. No matter what we’ve lost or how difficult our past has been, God’s plan is to bring greater glory and blessing into our lives. His restoration is not just about returning to the past but about moving forward into a brighter future.
Reflection:
The “latter house” in Haggai’s prophecy refers to the rebuilt temple, which would be filled with greater glory than the former one. This symbolizes the greater blessings and restoration that God has in store for us. Often, we can become fixated on past hurts, failures, or losses, thinking that our best days are behind us. But God’s promise is that the best is yet to come. His restoration is not just about fixing what was broken but about bringing us into a new season of greater glory and blessing. This requires us to shift our focus from the past to the future, trusting that God has greater things in store for us.
Application:
To apply this truth, begin to shift your focus from past hurts or losses to the future blessings that God has in store for you. Declare Haggai 2:9 over your life, believing that your latter days will be greater than your former ones. For example, if you’ve experienced a season of difficulty or disappointment, start expecting God to bring you into a new season of blessing and favor. Keep praising and trusting God, even when you don’t see the full picture yet. As you do this, you will begin to see His hand at work, bringing greater glory and blessing into your life.
- God promises that what is coming will be greater than what was before.
- Your best days are not behind you—they are ahead of you!
- Don’t focus on the past hurts or losses—expect greater things ahead!
- Keep praising and trusting God for a greater outpouring of His glory.
- Restoration Leads to Overflowing Joy and Praise.
- Joel 2:26-27 “You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.”
Introduction:
When God restores, He doesn’t just bring back what was lost—He fills our lives with joy, peace, and satisfaction. In Joel 2:26-27, God promises that His people will eat in plenty, be satisfied, and praise His name. This is the ultimate result of restoration: a life filled with joy and gratitude, where we can’t help but praise God for what He has done. Restoration leads to testimony, as others see the evidence of God’s work in our lives and give Him glory.
Reflection:
The joy that comes from God’s restoration is not dependent on our circumstances but on His faithfulness. Even in the midst of difficulty, we can have joy because we know that God is at work, restoring what was lost. This joy is a powerful testimony to those around us, as they see the evidence of God’s restoration in our lives. Think about the areas in your life where you need restoration. As you trust God to restore these areas, begin to praise Him in advance, knowing that He is faithful to His promises. Your praise will not only strengthen your faith but also encourage others to trust in God’s restorative power.
Application:
To apply this truth, start celebrating in advance! Begin praising and thanking God for your restoration, even before you see it happen. For example, if you’re believing for restored health, start thanking God for His healing power. If you’re trusting for restored relationships, begin praising God for His work of reconciliation. Live with expectation that God’s promises will come to pass, and let your joy and praise be a testimony to others. As you do this, you will begin to see God’s hand at work, bringing restoration and filling your life with overflowing joy.
God’s restoration is a powerful demonstration of His glory. He restores what was lost, broken, or stolen, bringing new life and hope into every area of our lives. This Restoration Week, believe that God is at work, restoring and renewing your life. Are you ready to receive His restoration? Declare Joel 2:25 over your life, and trust that God’s glory will be revealed through your restoration. As you do this, you will begin to see His hand at work, bringing greater glory and blessing into your life.
- When God restores, He fills our lives with joy, peace, and satisfaction.
- Restoration leads to testimony! People will see and know that God has done great things for you.
- Celebrate in advance! Start praising and thanking God for your restoration before you even see it happen.
- Live with expectation that God’s promises will come to pass.
Reflection on the Message of Restoration
The message of restoration, rooted in Joel 2:25, is a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness and His desire to bring wholeness to every area of our lives. Restoration is not just a one-time event but a continuous process that reflects God’s heart for His people. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s promise to restore what has been lost, broken, or stolen. Whether it’s the years consumed by locusts, as in Joel’s prophecy, or the double restoration experienced by Job, God’s restorative power is evident. This message is not just about recovering what was lost but about experiencing God’s abundance, joy, and glory in greater measure.
Restoration begins with a heart that is fully surrendered to God. It requires us to return to Him in repentance, humility, and faith. As we realign our lives with His will, we position ourselves to receive His restoration. This process is not just about material blessings but about being brought back into a deep, intimate relationship with God. His restoration touches every aspect of our lives—spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational. It’s a holistic renewal that brings us closer to His purpose for our lives.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this message is that God’s restoration always exceeds what was lost. He doesn’t just bring us back to where we were; He takes us further, giving us double for our trouble. This is a testament to His generosity and His desire to reveal His glory through our lives. As we trust Him, we begin to see His hand at work, turning our pain into purpose and our loss into greater gain.
Ultimately, restoration leads to overflowing joy and praise. When God restores, He fills our lives with satisfaction and gratitude, and our testimonies become a powerful witness to His faithfulness. This message is a call to live with expectation, believing that our best days are ahead of us. No matter what we’ve lost or how difficult our past has been, God’s promise is that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former. As we declare His promises over our lives, we step into a season of greater blessing, joy, and fulfillment.
Encouraging Message: Trusting God for Your Restoration
Dear friend, if you’re reading this, know that this is your season of restoration. No matter what you’ve lost, what’s been broken, or what the enemy has stolen, God is ready to restore it all. His promise in Joel 2:25 is for you: “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” Those years of pain, disappointment, and loss are not wasted in God’s hands. He is a God of redemption, and He specializes in turning what was meant for harm into something beautiful.
Perhaps you’ve experienced setbacks in your relationships, your health, your finances, or your spiritual walk. Maybe you feel like you’ve lost time, missed opportunities, or wandered far from God’s purpose for your life. Today, I want to remind you that no situation is beyond God’s power to restore. He is the God of the impossible, and He is working behind the scenes to bring renewal and hope into your life.
Restoration begins with a heart that is willing to return to God. Joel 2:12-13 says, “Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” This is an invitation to come back to Him, to surrender every area of your life that needs healing and renewal. As you do this, you’ll begin to see His hand at work, restoring what was broken and bringing you back into alignment with His will.
Don’t be afraid to trust God with your pain and your past. He sees every tear, every heartache, and every moment of despair. And He is not just able to restore what was lost—He is able to give you double for your trouble. Job’s story is a powerful reminder of this truth. After losing everything, Job remained faithful to God, and in the end, God restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. This is the kind of God we serve—a God who doesn’t just fix what’s broken but adds to it, making it better than before.
As you walk through this season of restoration, I encourage you to live with expectation. Declare God’s promises over your life, believing that your latter days will be greater than your former ones. Don’t focus on the past hurts or losses—keep your eyes on the future blessings that God has in store for you. Start praising Him in advance, even before you see the full manifestation of His restoration. Your praise is a powerful act of faith that invites His presence and power into your situation.
Finally, remember that restoration is not just for you—it’s for His glory. When God restores, He fills your life with joy, peace, and satisfaction, and your testimony becomes a powerful witness to His faithfulness. People will see the evidence of His work in your life and give Him glory. So, step into this season with confidence, knowing that God is restoring and renewing every area of your life. Trust Him, believe His promises, and watch as He brings greater glory and blessing into your life.
This is your time. Your season of restoration has come. Declare Joel 2:25 over your life, and trust that God’s glory will be revealed through your restoration. He is faithful, and He will do it!
Conclusion:
God’s Restoration Brings His Glory!
God’s restoration is not just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about revealing His glory in our lives. When He restores, He doesn’t just patch things up; He makes them new. He restores the years that the locusts have eaten, bringing back what was lost and adding to it in ways that only He can. He restores our joy, replacing sorrow with laughter and despair with hope. He restores our health, bringing strength to our bodies and peace to our minds. He even restores our spiritual fire, reigniting our passion for Him and renewing our sense of purpose. Every act of restoration is a testament to His power, His love, and His faithfulness. It’s a reminder that He is a God who specializes in turning impossible situations into testimonies of His glory.
This Restoration Week, we stand on the promise that God is actively restoring and renewing our lives. No matter what we’ve lost or how broken we feel, He is at work, bringing beauty from ashes and life from death. This is not just a hopeful thought—it’s a divine reality. God is restoring what the enemy has stolen, wasted, or destroyed. He is redeeming the time, healing the wounds, and filling our lives with His goodness. But restoration requires our participation. We must believe, receive, and declare His promises over our lives. Are you ready to receive His restoration? Are you willing to trust Him with your brokenness and believe that He can make all things new?
Final Challenge: Step Into Your Season of Restoration!
- Declare Joel 2:25 Over Your Life!
Speak God’s promises over every area of your life that needs restoration. Declare, “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25). Whether it’s lost time, broken relationships, missed opportunities, or spiritual dryness, believe that God is restoring it all. Your words have power, and when you align them with God’s Word, you release His restorative power into your life. - Trust That God’s Glory Will Be Revealed Through Your Restoration!
Restoration is not just about you—it’s about God’s glory. When He restores, He does it in a way that points others to Him. Your story of restoration will become a testimony of His faithfulness, encouraging others to trust Him with their brokenness. So, trust Him completely. Even if you don’t see the full picture yet, know that He is working behind the scenes. Your restoration will bring Him glory and draw others to His love. - Take Practical Steps of Faith!
Restoration is not a passive process; it requires action on your part. Seek God in prayer, fasting, and worship. Surrender every area of your life to Him, and be willing to let go of anything that hinders His work. If there’s sin, repent. If there’s bitterness, forgive. If there’s doubt, choose to believe. As you take these steps of faith, you position yourself to receive all that God has for you. - Live With Expectation!
Restoration is not just a one-time event—it’s a journey. Live each day with the expectation that God is restoring and renewing your life. Celebrate the small victories along the way, and keep your eyes fixed on Him. Remember, your best days are not behind you; they are ahead of you. God promises that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former (Haggai 2:9). So, expect greater things!
Your Restoration Is Here!
Dear Brothers & Sisters, this is your moment. This is your season of restoration. God is ready to restore what was lost, heal what was broken, and renew what was worn out. He is ready to fill your life with His joy, peace, and purpose. But it starts with you. Are you ready to receive His restoration? Are you ready to declare His promises over your life and step into the fullness of what He has for you?
Don’t let the enemy convince you that your situation is too far gone or that your losses are permanent. God is greater than any setback, any failure, or any attack. He is the God of restoration, and He is ready to move in your life. So, take a step of faith today. Declare Joel 2:25 over your life. Trust that God’s glory will be revealed through your restoration. And get ready to see His hand at work in ways that exceed your expectations.
Your restoration is here. Your breakthrough is near. Step into it with faith, and watch as God turns your pain into purpose, your loss into gain, and your brokenness into beauty. This is your season of restoration—receive it, believe it, and live it!
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, knowing that You are the God of restoration. Thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Today, we declare Your promise in Joel 2:25—that You will restore the years the enemy has stolen.
Lord, we surrender every broken area of our lives into Your hands. We trust You to restore our joy, our peace, our health, our families, and our faith. We believe that our latter days will be greater than our former days because You are a God who brings beauty from ashes.
Father, we ask for strength to remain faithful and to follow You wholeheartedly. Remove any doubt, fear, or discouragement that hinders us from walking in the fullness of Your promises. Help us to seek You with all our hearts, knowing that when we draw near to You, You will draw near to us (James 4:8).
May Your glory be revealed in our lives as a testimony of Your power. Let restoration flow into every situation, bringing healing, renewal, and breakthroughs. Lord, we declare that our families will be blessed, our faith will be strong, and our lives will reflect Your goodness.
Thank You, Lord, for the restoration that has already begun. We receive it by faith and give You all the glory.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
God bless you abundantly.