And the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10
He restores my soul. Psalm 23:3
In Christ, we are RESTORED. He brings us back to a former, original condition. He restores our souls to what we were meant for in the Garden of Eden. He renews our spirits with His Holy Spirit dwelling within us. There is a re-making of us that our Creator begins at the moment we begin with Christ.
So, what does this word “restore” mean? Dictionary.com defines it this way:
- to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.
- to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.
Are you in need of restoration? Do you feel like an old, broken-down, rusted-out car? Our Lord is the restorer of our bodies, souls, and minds, just as a dedicated mechanic would restore an old heap of junk to a gleaming masterpiece of metal and leather. He carefully knows each part of us and tends to our wounds with healing balm. He restores us gently and with deep love, taking care to renew each detail.
Prayer for Restoration:
Lord Jesus, I have felt like a crumbled heap in my heart, battling with a broken sword and my shield getting bruised and battered by a relentless enemy. Then you come in your glorious chariot. You step in front of me brandishing your swords and pushing back the fight, directing me to rest and recuperate in your chariot. You are fighting for me and allowing me great rest. According to 1 Peter 5:10, you restore me, making me once again strong, firm, and steadfast. Now feels like the time to rest and allow you to re-create me in this season. Thank you for restoring my soul in quiet places of rest. Help me to not fight you in your healing process. Help me to release my heart into your healing hands and allow you to do your creative, beautiful, restoring work within me.
Digging Deeper:
In what ways do you long to be restored? What has broken you down? Is anything holding you back from your allowing Him to re-make you?
Also in Our Identity in Jesus
10 Bible Verses about Strength
- With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:29
- My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…When I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8,
- I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 ...
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