APRIL 11, 2013
Making
Up For Lost Time
Read: Joel 2:21-27
I will restore to you
the years that the swarming locust has eaten. —Joel 2:25
None
of us can say that we have no regrets. Often we are led down paths of
bad
choices—some paths longer than others—which can have a lingering effect
on the
mind, body, and soul.
A
friend of mine spent a number of years living a life of alcohol and drug abuse.
But God did an amazing work in his life, and he recently celebrated 25 years of
being free from substance abuse. He now runs a successful business, has a
devoted wife, and his children love Jesus. He has a passion to reach out to
others
who are in the ditch of life, and he serves as a wise and loving mentor
in the rescue
operations of their lives.
God
never gives up on us! Even if we’ve made poor choices in the past that have
left us with regret, we can choose how we will live now. We can choose to
continue
destructive living, simply wallow in regret, or we can run to Christ
believing that He
has ways to “restore . . . the years that the
swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25).
When we repentantly seek His healing
and freeing power, He is merciful.
While
some consequences from the past may remain, we can be confident that God
has a
good and glorious future for those who trust in Him!
Lord, it is with humble and grateful hearts that we
come to You and lay all that we have been in the past
at Your feet. Take us as we are and make something
beautiful out of our lives that brings glory to You!
God never gives up on making something beautiful out of our
lives.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
