Restoring Lost Years

Author: Ayodeji Oludapo

Date: October 6, 2024

Scripture: "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." — Joel 2:25 (ESV)

Devotional Thoughts

Life can sometimes feel like a series of missed opportunities, wasted moments, or painful setbacks. Whether due to personal mistakes, poor decisions, external circumstances, or even divine judgment, the years lost can feel overwhelming. We may look back and feel as though we’ve been wandering in uncharted territory, far from the blessings we once knew. But there is hope—God, in His infinite grace, is a restorer of lost years.

In Joel 2, the people of Israel experienced devastating losses due to their rebellion. Locusts had devoured their crops, representing years of hard labour consumed in an instant. Yet, God, in His mercy, promised restoration. He did not just promise to bring them back to where they were but to restore what had been devoured and lost over the years. God’s restoration is complete and abundant. He is not limited by time or circumstances, and His plans to bless us often exceed our wildest imaginations.

Consider Job, a man who lost everything—his children, his health, and his wealth. It seemed as though everything good in his life had vanished. But Job never lost his faith in God. In the end, God restored Job’s life, giving him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). This shows us that God not only restores but can multiply blessings even in areas where we thought all was lost.

When we surrender to God, He is able to restore broken relationships, shattered dreams, depleted finances, and even lost health. The time spent away from Him or lost in painful circumstances can seem like wasted years, but in His hands, those very years can be a platform for a future filled with hope and blessings. No matter how far you have strayed or how long you've felt lost, God can redeem your past for His glory.

Practical Reflections

• Reflect on areas in your life where you feel time has been lost—whether through bad decisions, missed opportunities, or uncontrollable circumstances. Are there relationships that seem beyond repair or seasons of life you wish you could undo? Know that no time is truly wasted when surrendered to God. He can use even your mistakes for His greater purpose.

• Take a step of faith and ask God to restore what has been lost. Whether it’s your health, finances, or hope, remember that God is able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine. He is a restorer of the broken and the lost.

• Forgive yourself for past mistakes. Often, we hold onto guilt and shame, thinking the lost years are too far gone. But God’s grace covers everything. His ability to restore is not based on your perfection but on His love and mercy.

Closing Thoughts

God’s ability to restore lost years should fill us with hope. No matter what has been lost—whether due to our own choices or external circumstances—God can and will bring restoration. The years that feel empty can be filled with His abundance, and what the enemy meant for harm, God will use for good. As you walk this path of faith, trust that He sees the tears, He knows the pain, and He has a plan to restore what has been lost. In His time, He will make all things new.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for Your promise of restoration. I bring before You the areas of my life where I have experienced loss—whether in relationships, health, finances, or time. I trust that You are a God who can restore even the most broken pieces of my life. Help me to surrender these areas to You and walk in faith, knowing that You are working behind the scenes to bring healing, wholeness, and restoration. Open my eyes to see the ways You are moving, and give me the strength to walk forward in hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.