God is Faithful to Restore Us and Lead Us
“He refreshes [restores] my soul.” Psalm 23:3
(spiritual renewal)
Restoration is hard work. It is the effort to bring something back to its original condition when time, decay, and circumstances affect its beauty, its purpose, and its value. Any shadow of what it once was or was intended to be has long since faded. The beauty is covered in dirt, mold, and decay, the edges are rough, once-strong supports are rotted, the luster is dulled. But an expert still sees the value and knows what it could be, if restored. Restoration requires someone who is skilled and has vision and an understanding of what something once was or was intended to be in order to restore it to its original state.
Jesus is our Restorer. He created us, so He knows us intimately and He knows exactly who and what He intended us to be. He is able to revive, refresh, and restore our spiritual selves to the “shalom” He intended us to enjoy in the garden, where everything was in a right relationship to Him. Isaiah 60:1 says about Jesus, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,”
We can pray Psalm 51:2, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Jesus is able; He can do it!
“Jesus, You are the Restorer of all things. You promise that You will restore us and make us new. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” I pray that You would begin a work of restoration and reconciliation in (name) today.”
“Lord, strip away the rotten things that would cause decay in (name)’s life. Replace the battered and worn parts with new. Refresh their outlook and restore their heart to be aligned with Yours. Work in them to stir a desire to be made new with a heart like Jesus. Remind them that, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24. Show them clearly that You love them and You desire that they would be brought into fellowship with You, welcomed into Your house and home for eternity. Give (name) a heart for restoration so they would not only embrace the gospel and receive a new heart but that they would share the life-giving gospel with others so they, too, could be restored. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
(direction, purpose)
When God restores us, it’s not for our benefit alone, although we do reap great benefits from the renewal of our heart, mind, and spirit. But it is for His glory that He redeems us! He gives us direction and purpose.
Ephesians 1:11-12 tells us, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.”
He has a plan and purpose for each of us Philippians 2:13, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” The phrase, “For His name’s sake” indicates that we are to live in such a way that we maintain his name and reputation (1). If we fail to do that we take His name in vain- calling ourselves Christians but living like we are not. “‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Deut. 5:11 (NKJV) Our actions, choices and attitudes have bearing on the name we carry.
“Holy Father, Your name is Sacred. You ARE the Great I AM. There is no other like You and Your supremacy is unequaled. I pray that You would give (name) a godly fear and respect of You. Lead (name) in paths of righteousness so that as they bear Your name, they would be righteous (not self-righteous), blameless (not deceiving others or themselves) and authentic in their faith and their convictions. Lord, give (name) perspective that every blessing is from You and for the purpose of serving You and bringing You glory. Strengthen them in their faith, their conviction, and their passion to follow You in the right paths You set before them, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
H4616 - maʿan - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4616/niv/wlc/0-1/
Under the Influence
“Influencer”. It’s the new-ish word to describe someone whose life, choices, actions, and preferences are followed by thousands, perhaps even millions of people. They really don’t ‘do’ much, but they’ve gathered a following of people who seem to hang on their every word, imitate their fashion and deem the products they pitch as the ‘best’. They garner a following on social media and their income is dependent on the numbers who follow and purchase the corresponding products. Interestingly, it has little to do with character and much to do with social appeal and surface appearances.
When you step back, it’s actually a bit disturbing. These people wield so much power and influence, yet they don’t really do much other than share their daily thoughts and purchase suggestions. They have little interest in their followers other than that they keep following.
So, who is influencing our sons and daughters? To whom do they look for guidance, for recommendations on how to live and how to present themselves?
In Scripture, we see the influencers sitting at the city gate. They were the ones who knew the Word and who had wisdom and authority to speak into situations and settle disputes. They were the elders and business people who proved themselves trustworthy and wise.
You see, the influences of the Bible were those who were motivated by respect for and fear of God. Their intent was to live with integrity and please Him. Their goal was to serve Him well. There was nothing selfish about it. Their goal wasn’t gaining followers, but following Him. Job 31:21-23 says “if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence (ezra) in court (or the gates), then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.”
The Hebrew word ‘ezra’ means to help. And to whom are these influencers in Scripture looking for help? They look to the Lord and His strength. That’s what gave their words, actions and decisions substance. But who do today’s influencers look to? They look to themselves and to others who can help promote them.
Here’s the thing, if ever a follower of today’s influencers would put out a cry for help, it’s unlikely the influencer would hear. Even if they were aware, it’s unlikely they would attempt to make a difference. That’s not what they do. It’s not why they ‘influence’. They are in it not out of concern for their followers but only for themselves. But when we follow the Lord, He is keenly aware of our needs and hears our cry for help. The Lord is our ‘ezra’, our help in times of trouble. When we look to the world, we are left wanting. When we look to the Lord, we are wanted, chosen, loved, and protected.
Isaiah 50:9 “It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.”
It’s true that today’s influencers will wear out like a garment. Whatever is today’s ‘hot item’ can become tomorrow’s ‘old news’. This world and its preferences are fickle and ever-changing. But the Lord never changes. He won’t wear out and He won’t lose His power. He is the influencer we should all follow faithfully. Today, let’s pray these scriptures over our sons and daughters, putting their names in and speaking out loud the truth and power of God’s Word.
Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is (name’s) strength and shield; (name’s) heart trusts in Him, and He helps (name). (Name’s) heart leaps for joy, and with (his/her) song (they) praise Him.”
Psalm 54:4 “Surely God is (name’s) help; the Lord is the one who sustains (name).”
Psalm 199:173 “May your hand be ready to help (name), for (name) has chosen your precepts.”
“Father, I pray that You would be the influence that (name) follows diligently. Bring others around them who would speak Biblical Truth into their lives. Do not let them be distracted by the voices and influencers of this world who, by their flashy words and seemingly popular status want to make others think that life and happiness come from ‘things’, ‘status’, and ‘popularity’. Help (name) to see beyond the shallow, temporal veil that covers the emptiness of this world and the attractions it peddles. I pray, Father, that (name) would look to You for their help and their rescue. Let (name) know that You are their strength and shield, their sustainer and protector. I pray that You would deepen their commitment and resolve to only be deeply influenced by You and Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Pray without ceasing.