I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts – Joel 2:25
Joel had used the locust invasion as an illustration of God’s judgment. Israelites would have ploughed and labored a lot for the harvest but it was in vain as locusts destroyed everything. But God is assuring to restore all that they lost when they repent with praise and worship.
In 2 Kings 21 we read, Manasseh the king of Judah did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places (which his father destroyed) and erected altars to Baal. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. Because of his sin, he was taken into captivity by his enemies. When he repented and prayed to the LORD, He received his plea and heard his petition; so, He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God – 2 Chronicles 33:14. God restored him to his position.
Similarly, like Manasseh’s captivity, we might have lost years because of physical ailment, broken relationships, career set back, pandemic years etc. Sometimes God allows setbacks in our life because of disobedience to the word of God. This can be fixed and restored only when we repent.
Prayer: Father God, please forgive my iniquity and restore my lost fortunes. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus name I pray – Amen!!!