An Advent Special | The Promise of Restoration

While contemplating how 2025 went for me, a word came to me: restore.

Restoration involves two parts: something that was broken, lost, or stolen, and a person who is willing to go out of their way to repair, rebuild, or redeem this thing.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary offers a variety of definitions for the verb ‘restore’. These include:

To give back or to return (something that was lost or stolen)
To put or bring back into existence or use (something that is out of date or dysfunctional)
To bring back to a former or original state (something that was broken or dirtied)
To renew (something that is old or worn)
To rebuild (something that was destroyed)
To replenish (something that is empty)

The act of restoration is not a small feat. In fact, restoration involves sacrifice, usually time and energy, in order to ensure that the item is perfect or better than it previously was.

Restoration YouTube

Earlier this year, I spent a significant amount of time watching restoration YouTube videos. Chief among them were car detailing, rug cleaning, and house cleaning videos (often involving hoarder houses).

I spent a long time watching these videos, borderline obsessed with how these YouTubers could take something that almost seemed impossible to fix and give it new life.

The state these homes and cars were left in was unsettling, but throughout the video, I learned that their owners never intended for their homes or cars to become so filthy and unusable. Often, something tragic happened in their lives, leaving their spirits broken and their lives without hope.

Major changes, such as loss of a loved one, sickness, and divorce, caused these owners to become complacent, struggling to find the will to live. Then comes someone, a restorer, if you will, who offers to clean up their homes for free, giving them new hope.

These cleaners sacrificed their time, energy, and resources to bring about restoration to these homes. They gave them a new life, brought back their value, and gave the owners a new kind of hope.

It was watching these videos that made me realize that most times, we see dirty, broken, and filthy things and condemn them, deeming them unfixable. Yet these YouTubers prove that anything can be restored if enough patience and compassion fill our hearts. They see the value that the common person overlooks.

They see these homes, these people, as worthy enough for restoration.

God is Restoring All That is Lost and Destroyed

We’re entering a new season: one of hope, one of restoration.

On the surface, it’s difficult to see. I spent the majority of 2025 clinging to the little hope I had left, fearing that if all hope is lost, then there’s nothing else to look forward to.

Yet that word, restoration, crept back into me, slowly, steadily—with evidence of it happening!

The Word of the LORD said:

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming
locust has eaten.”

Joel 2:25 ESV

Joel prophesied of a calamity that would befall Judah because of its unrepentant heart toward God. Yet when God called Judah to repent, He offered a promise of hope and restoration.

Joel records this promise by exalting God, telling the people of Judah to be glad and rejoice, because God has done great things.

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green. The tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

“Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given the early rain for your vindication; He has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.

“The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 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.

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Joel 2:21-25 ESV

The pastures in the wilderness are now green. The trees begin to bear fruit. The rain brings with it a full harvest. While a rainy season can feel depressing, it waters the ground, preparing the soil to yield fruit and support abundant growth.

In God’s restoration, we will be filled and satisfied. He will be with us, and we will see and know that only God can bring about this restoration.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

Joel 2:26-27 ESV

God’s restoration isn’t just a physical one. His restoration is spiritual replenishment, where He fills us with His Spirit. Joel 2:26-27 prophesies the coming of the Holy Spirit, where He would give us dreams, visions, and prophecy. God’s restoration comes with a newness in Him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

God’s restoration removes the years of shame, guilt, and fear that plagues us. In God, we will rejoice, we will receive a double portion of His goodness.

Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor, they shall rejoice in their lot. Therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.

Isaiah 61:7 ESV

The psalmist, David, said:

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

Entering the New Year Restored

1 Peter tells us:

After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV

In God, we can expect restoration.

While this year brought many troubles and suffering, the promise of restoration renews my hope. We have been called to God’s eternal glory in Christ.

We have been restored. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We can rest in knowing that everything that we have been through is orchestrated only for our good.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for restoring me. Thank You for the promise that I can hope in and rest in You. Thank you for making me a new creation in Christ, for working everything out for my good.

While there are trials, I know that you are God and that you are with me. I know that You will strengthen and establish me and the work of my hands. I pray that you continue to restore my soul, and that you continue to lead and direct me in the path of righteousness.

Even though I go through struggles, I won’t be afraid, for Your rod and staff comforts me. Your anointing is on me; Your goodness and mercy follow me. You are the Restorer of my life, the Nourisher of my soul, and the Great Redeemer. I thank you for everything that you have done and will continue to do as I remain in your presence.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.