God Will Restore Us

Opening a door and walking outside into midday in the desert has all the characteristics of opening an oven door and stepping inside. Life in the desert is not easy, but God will restore us as we venture out. The heat pours over you, like waves in the ocean. Each one threatening to take your breath away. With each step, your feet feel the inferno rising from the ground. The sun reflecting off the sand and rock causes your eyes to squint. Sweat rises on your skin and evaporates just as quickly.

If your home has air conditioning, a swamp cooler, or even a fan, the desire to hide inside is almost overwhelming. Even finding shade only provides a slight reprieve on your journey. The longer you are outside, the greater the desire becomes for water and protection from the scorching sun.

God will Restore Us in Scorched places.

Isaiah lived in the desert. He lived during the time of the possible destruction of Judah by the Kingdom of Assyria, but because of God's great mercy, Israel was protected. God chose him as the prophet during this time. Even though the people of Israel rebelled against God, because of the prophet’s teaching they repented.  If you feel burned out and overheated in the desert of life, maybe it is time to be restored by the teachings from this Old Testament prophet.

Throughout Chapter 58, Isaiah examines how the spiritual discipline of fasting serves as a means to save the oppressed. It outlines a pattern of how a fast should be observed and the promised blessings that come with obedience. Isaiah 6-7 describes the practice of fasting, and then the blessings are listed in 8-9b. He repeats this pattern in 9c-12.

Last week, we examined the beginning of verse 11a; this week, we will look at God's restoration in verse 11b. During times of feeling depleted, Isaiah 58:11 is a deep well of renewal and restoration.

¹¹    And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Verse 11 starts with Adonai Eli Moreh, My Lord and Master, who will continually guide us.

Verse 11b reminds us that God will:

1.         Restore. God will restore us. He will bring us back into His presence through Jesus’ death on the Cross. We will have fellowship with the King.

2.         Revitalize. Our vision for the future will be revitalized. God will replenish our hopes and dreams. Sometimes He changes our dreams and hopes; other times He uses them to bless us.

3.         Renew. When we walk through the valleys of life, God will renew us. He is both in the deepest places and on the mountain tops, and everywhere in between. When we feel dried, parched, utterly spent, He refreshes our innermost being. No place is too remote or forgotten.

4.         Refocus. God cares about our hearts and our desires. He will refocus us to serve where He is working. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that He has plans for us. He calls us to join Him in His work.

As we meditate on this part of Isaiah 58:11,

●      Spend time with God. No agenda, no timelines. Spend time praising Him and remembering all of His attributes.

●      Give your hopes and dreams to God and allow Him to change, refine, and modify them. Embrace new dreams and release those things that are draining you.

●      Record your thoughts about what is draining you or causing you to worry. Ask Him to heal you and put boundaries up where you need them.

●      Focus on the path God wants to walk. Put your doubts and insecurities into God’s mighty hands. Step out with confidence in His presence.

●      Write out a prayer to share with God. Make sure to praise Him, release things, and embrace new dreams. Ask Him to remove doubts and insecurities.

God will restore us as we grow and change. He draws us into His embrace to receive his renewal, revitalization, and refocus. Summer is a wonderful season to spend time with Him on vacation or during a staycation.

Discuss where you see God changing your dreams with friends or family. Ask them to pray for you and ask for their help.

Let us pray:

Adonai, You are the God who restores us. Restore, renew, revitalize, and refocus us during our times of trials and wilderness experiences. Show us what we need to release and where You want us to go. Keep us in Your embrace. Amen.