The Lord Restores
By David Matranga
He restores my soul.
- Psalm 23:3
Have you ever seen one of those restoration shows? This Old House for homes or Overhaulin’ for classic cars? The subject always looks terrible at the beginning. Paint is peeling, parts are missing, dents galore, and maybe it’s even dangerous to be inside these things. They don’t seem like much at the beginning.
But what happens is that the hosts of the show see value in these old wrecks. They have vision to see not what is but what should be, what can be.
The end product is beautiful and its value plain, but it took a person who can see through the mess, someone who has the knowledge and resources to restore it to a fine condition.
Our God is in the business of restoration. It’s a good thing, too, because we are a lot like those run-down houses and beat-up rusty cars. But God won’t give up on us as long as we’re willing to let Him work.
Why We Need Restoration
Sin is a corrosive substance on the human soul. We’re born into sin in a fallen world, and if that wasn’t enough we add to it ourselves, making bad decisions, selfish choices, and just plain darkness. Sin affects our perspective, our relationships, and every aspect of our lives. Without God, we are left in a state of decay.
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
- John 8:34
It’s tempting at times to think that we aren’t worth saving. And while we can never fully understand the depth of God’s sacrificial love for us, that came out of His own goodness and not our own merit – He delighted in us. He saw what He could make. It was always part of His plan to restore us to Him.
The first stage of restoring a car, a house, or a person who is a slave to sin is redemption. You’ve got to buy the car.
Redemption
When you go to a pawn shop, like the guys in Pawn Stars (a lot of reality TV references in today’s article), you sell an item for less than it’s worth and you have a certain amount of days to come and buy it back before you lose it forever. Redeeming means buying back.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
- Ephesians 1:7
Even more specifically, in ancient times “redemption” often referred specifically to purchasing someone out of slavery.
We were slaves to sin, and God bought us and restored us in relationship to Himself.
But thankfully, the host of This Old House doesn’t leave a home the way he finds it. An automobile restoration expert doesn’t leave the rusted out car sitting in the garage in the same condition he bought it. Neither does God leave us with the scrapes, scars, and marks of slavery.
That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
- Ephesians 5:27
Sanctification
From the moment we receive salvation, we are new creations. We are saved, and now we begin the process of sanctification – learning to live and love like Jesus while on the earth. This is a process and it does take time. But God, in His firm, gentle, perfect way molds us and shapes us more and more into the likeness of His Son as we walk with Him. If we let Him do His work, we are disciples who aim to imitate their teacher, Jesus.
God wants to restore the years that have been lost, the things that sin has damaged in your heart and in your life. He sees value and has vision even when we look at ourselves and just see a wreck.
When you’re down in the dumps and you don’t think anything could ever change or that God could even love you, just remember those beat up cars and houses – then remember what they look like when the artist is done with them.
God’s not done with you. He is restoring you in a way that you cannot even imagine. Take courage, and let Him do His work as you pursue closeness with Him.
(This article is based off of a longer message. Click here to listen.)
