And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you – Joel 2:25
“I’ll be back in the high life again/All the doors I closed one time will open up again/I’ll be back in the high life again/All the eyes that watched me once will smile and take me in.” This chorus from Steven Winwood’s “Back In The High Life Again” came to mind as I reflected on seasons of restoration, after enduring rough patches. The theme is consistent with a sermon by Bishop TD Jakes, when he references people in the Bible who experienced harsh times. Yet eventually they entered a season when things leveled out in their lives.
The message of restoration is recorded throughout the Bible, and it aligns with God’s promise in 1 Peter 5:10, which says: “after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” This was demonstrated in some of the hardest experiences, such as with Joseph, who had been unjustly enslaved for many years. But he ended up becoming second-in-command of Egypt. Then there was Job, who, after enduring significant loss, was restored more than what he originally had.
While God’s restoration promise doesn’t come with specific details as to when it’ll happen, history provides proof that it will. So, be encouraged if you are going through a rough patch. Be assured that you will soon be “back in the high life again.”