The Bible talks about God restoring what the locusts have stolen in Joel 2:25 where the Lord promises to “restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”. The locusts are often interpreted to represent judgment for the sin that besets us and leads to loss. The restoration is for those who have repented. Some losses are our fault. Anyone recovering from an addiction might pin point the actions leading to loss. Laziness could prevent one from paying the bills – leading to the locust challenge. Unfaithfulness might result in a broken relationship leading to a failed marriage. We live in relationship and only a vacuum could isolate the causes. If we are not managing our negative emotions we hurt people and there is loss. In the Book of Job, our protagonist is puzzled by his enormous losses but all was restored and even more in Job 42:10, “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before”. Does Job’s prayers for others affect this outcome? Could taking our eyes off our losses to care about others factor in? God’s grace is always God’s grace and redemption and restoration is always His plan. I don’t see a formula here but never forget that God does have His ways and formulas are interesting. Isaiah 61:7 says, “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs”. Today ask God for restoration of your innocence and joy.
