Restoration

Day 28 of 365...


Genesis 46-47


Key Passages/Thoughts:



Gen 46:30 - "Then Israel said to Joseph, 'At last I can die, now that I have seen your face and know you are still alive!'"


Restoration is defined as "bringing back to a former position or condition."  For many years Jacob thought his son was dead.  The heartache and pain involved with that were, at times, unbearable I would imagine.  Throughout the days, weeks, months and years that followed, Jacob stayed faithful to the God of his fathers.  It is a testament to standing on what you believe.  Even in Jacob's darkest times, he turned to the One who promised to be with him no matter what.  It is in this resting place that Jacob must have come to peace despite his circumstances.  Then, we fast forward to the day he hears about his son, Joseph, being alive.  Imagine the emotions that would have rushed through him.  Jacob is in the latter years of his life, and his sons return from Egypt with the news that Joseph is, indeed, alive.  Not only that, but Joseph is in a place of prominence under Pharaoh's household.  Talk about adding years to your life!!  Jacob makes the journey to see his son that was dead but is now alive.  It is here that we hear Jacob utter the words in the passage above.  This is a picture of restoration.  It is almost as if God rewarded Jacob's faithfulness with the return of his son.  Not only that, but God will fulfill his promise to Jacob and cause many descendants to come from Joseph's line, including Jesus!!  


As I read through this story, I am reminded that faithfulness, at times, is all I have to cling to.  There are times when everything is crashing down around me, and all I can do is trust that God has got is under control.  Does God always promise restoration?  This is a hard question to answer.  I believe my thoughts of restoration and God's way of restoration do not always match up.  Again, here is opportunity for God to teach me something through His eyes and not mine.  Sometimes, things happen to me that I consider unjust or unwarranted, but God reminds me that His ways are not my ways.  God uses those instances to shift the way I think so that I am more aligned with Him.  Is it fair?  I am in no position to tell God whether something is fair or not.  Is it fair that my son has cystic fibrosis?  As a human, living in a fallen world, my inclination is to say no!  I'm sure that God's heart breaks for the things my son has had to endure.  However, I am reminded that I live in a fallen world where death and disease run rampant.  This was not God's decision...it was man's.  So, I pose the question again, is it fair that my son has CF?  Whether it's fair or not is not my decision, the reality is that he does.  I have to rely on the fact that God can still use this horrible disease to teach me and my son something more about Him and us.  It is here that restoration happens.  It only happens through Him!


God grant me peace during the times when I need restoration but have not received it yet.  Help me to see through Your eyes.  Help me to endure.  Although the process may be long, help me to remain faithful to what You've called me to do.