“He restoreth my soul.”
“He shall be a restorer of thy life.”
Psalm 23:3 and Ruth 4:15
I love old things. I love old cities; I love to learn about their history, when they were established and who were the founding fathers. I love to visit historic houses and old antebellum mansions. I am so intrigued by the architecture and captivated by the renderings of the original designs. I adore antique furniture; I like to see it restored and brought back to its original glory or replace the finish with a new and vibrant one.
Several years ago, some of our dear friends invited us on a trip to Natchez, Mississippi. While we were there, we took a sightseeing tour by horse and carriage of the town’s historic district. It was eye candy for me to behold such beauty. We did several home tours. As we walked the halls, viewing each room, how my mind wondered about the years gone by and the changes each generation had brought to the existing form. I’m sure if walls could talk, we would be amazed at the stories they could tell. Perhaps they would tell of raging storms they had weathered, blazing fires that had been extinguished, or reflect on the thing of beauty as decay caused it to begin to fade away.
We also had the opportunity to lodge at a milk barn that had been converted into a guest house that was over two hundred years old. We ate at a restaurant that was originally a carriage house. To say I was smitten was an understatement; Larry knew I was enjoying one of my happy places, and this trip would always be special to us. I was fascinated by the vision the designer implemented to bring restoration to this lovely estate.
The dictionary defines design as follows: “the art, or process, of planning and creating something; to fashion, execute, or construct according to plans, to create for purpose, to set apart.”
As I gaze around at the magnificent world in which we live, I am in awe at the design of the lush green and snow-covered mountain peaks, the vastness of the deep blue sea, enthralled by the sunrises and sunsets and intoxicated by the moon and the stars. I long to have a glimpse of what is beyond what the eye can see, yet I realize I first have to start at the beginning…..
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2
What we know is that God is our beginning; He is the creator of the universe. He is the Ancient of Days! What He desired to have He spoke into existence. He put everything in its place: birds in the air, stars in the sky, planets in motion, fruit-bearing trees, and gardens full of flowers. Each design was unique and formed for His divine purpose, and God said it was all good! God’s beautiful creation was ready to be tended. But there was not yet a man to till the ground.
“And God said let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. And the Lord God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:7, 15, 1
We find in Genesis that man was created, fashioned, and set apart for a specific purpose. Man (humanity) was the ultimate creation, formed in the very image of God. We were to dress the garden and tend it; all things were placed under man’s feet. We were breathed upon by the breath of God and made a living soul, one that was meant to live in complete fellowship with God forever. Until…
“And the woman said unto the serpent , we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest you die. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:2-3, 6
Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience (they listened to the serpent’s lies instead of God’s truth), the sin curse fell upon them, and death pronounced. Consequences will be great. No longer will they exist as God designed them to from the beginning. They would be removed from the beautiful garden. Angels and a flaming fire would guard the garden so they can never return. Adam and Eve will now live in a land full of thorns and thistles and work by the sweat of their brow. This event changed not only Adam and Eve’s life forever, but from their seed, all of humanity was infected with sin. How can we be forgiven? What can take away our sins? The fellowship of God has been broken. How can we be restored?
Restoration: The act of returning something to a former owner; plan, condition, to be reinstated.
God made a way for us! A sacrifice has been given; “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus Christ, God’s son was a lamb slain, without blemish from the foundation of the world!
We learn this from Genesis when God said, “Let us make man in our image.” This was never an afterthought. God had a divine plan set before Adam and Ever were ever created. God is sovereign: He knows all things; past, present, and future. Accountability for sin had to be paid, and we had nothing to give. But God’s Son, Jesus, died, was buried, and on the third day, He rose from the grave. Death was conquered, the sin debt was paid in full, and the gift of eternal life is available for all who believe in Him. The Ancient of Days has brought restoration through the blood of his only begotten son Jesus!
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19
The broken are mended, the old has become new, the filthy rags have been cloaked with the righteousness of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. “Oh death, where is thy sting?” “Oh grave, where is thy victory?” In Matthew, the Bible declares
“He is not here, He is risen!”
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
My prayer this Easter weekend is that we never forget what it took to restore us! We could do nothing; the penalty of sin was too great, and the debt too high. Eternal life is the greatest gift of God, and nothing now is able to separate us from the love of Christ.
I appeal to you today if you have never accepted Jesus, God’s Son, as your Savior, would you come, just as you are, to a Savior who stretched His arms on a rugged cross and died so you wouldn’t have to die? He died so you could have eternal life with Him in heaven forever. He has found you worthy of being restored because, when he sees you, He sees His son’s ability to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Please believe this is our prayer for you this day.
Happy Easter, happy resurrection, happy restoration day!
Diane Mann
Lean Into Jesus Ministries
