Fast Day 14
Joel 2:25-27 (NKJV)
“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.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.”
We may all have experienced times in our lives where the enemy has gained access and stolen something from us. God promises in His word through Joel 2:25-27 that He will recover and restore what has been stolen.
To restore means “to bring back to its original state; to build again, to refresh, to repair, and to bring back to full capacity, to take back what has been lost.”
King David was out to war with his men against the Amalekites. When they returned home from battle, they discovered their homes were destroyed and their wives and children taken captive. Right now, you could be seeing how the enemy has taken captive your family and close friends, but David didn’t give in to despair, he strengthened himself in the Lord and inquired of the Lord. The Lord said “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” 1 Samuel 30:8
David’s wives and children were taken because David was in disobedience; joining forces with the Philistines to fight against the Amalekites. But God was merciful to bring restoration, even when David was at fault. It can be the same with every one of us, even when we are at fault. God is merciful to bring restoration when we turn back to Him.
Prayer Focus
Pray that God would remove any shame and guilt you may be feeling for things that were lost due to your own sins. You also may need to spend some time forgiving yourself.
Pray by faith into all areas where you have seen the enemy come in and take captive; that God will restore and bring healing. Start with your own life and then go to your family, friends, neighbors, work colleges, etc.