A Time for Restoration

     As the New Year fast approaches, many of us take the time to reflect on the events of the past year.  Of course, the year 2020 will long be remembered because no one expected a Pandemic, rioting in the streets, and damage to the economy.  Change of any sort grabs our attention, and wakes us from complacency.  Certainly this was true for the remnant of Israel that had returned with Ezra to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.

     They returned after living in exile 70 years in Babylon.  We can only imagine their grief at looking at the ruins of their city and Temple but also they were told about
the Law of the Lord which they had not obeyed. Yet Ezra encouraged them to remember that their joy and strength would come from the Lord as they walked in obedience to His Word (Nehemiah 8:10b).  They were not to grieve as people with no hope, and this message is one we need to embrace as we enter the New Year ahead.

     No one knows what the coming days have in store for us, but we know that God holds the future.  He is our source and provision.  He knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and is our Good Shepherd (Psalm 23).  With His guidance, we can experience the fullness of His joy.  In John 15:10-11, Jesus said: "These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full".  So how should we respond to the words of encouragement we hear from the Lord?

     First, this is a great time to reflect on the past year.  Prayerfully, we need to think on our lives and ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas where we have missed God.  This is what the people of Israel did.  They heard God's Word read to them and repented of their sins.  Then, they sought to be obedient to His Word once again.  As they stepped out in faith, they trusted God to give them strength and restore their joy.  We need to do the same both individually and as a church fellowship.

     After reflection, we need to come to a place of true repentance. As the Holy Spirit shows us areas where we have not lived in obedience to the Lord, we need to seek His forgiveness.  I John 1:9 assures us of the Lord's total forgiveness when we confess our sins to Him.  Both sins of commission (things we know we have done) and omission (things which we may not even be aware of at the time) are areas we need to ask for the Lord's forgiveness.  Keeping our account clean before the Lord and with our neighbors allows His joy to fill us completely.

     Following repentance, we can enter into His complete restoration and renewal.  Every morning brings new opportunities just as every new year does as well.  The old has passed away and all things are made new in Christ.  When the Lord is at the center of our lives, we find real joy and peace. Certainly, the remnant of Israel found great comfort in their restored relationship with the Lord and in obediently serving Him.  They rebuilt the Temple and the city to His glory.  In the same way, we can rebuild our lives to be more conformed to His image by immersing ourselves in worship, Bible study and prayer.  Let us enter the new year ahead with a greater resolve to seek Him in all things that we may glorify the Lord and find His joy and strength in all we do.  Selah!