Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

I heard the sound of gentle rainfall, symbolizing God’s grace and mercy, bringing restoration and renewal to a parched and dry land.

I saw a picture of a garden blooming with colorful flowers after a long drought, representing the flourishing restoration God brings to the lives of His people.

The sound of rainfall and the picture of the flourishing garden illustrate the theme of restoration found in the passages below. God’s grace and mercy rejuvenate and bring new life to places that were once desolate and barren.

Bible Passages:

1. Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (NIV) – “You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
       you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
    You forgave the iniquity of your people
       and covered all their sins.”
   
   This passage speaks of God’s restoration and mercy, bringing salvation to His people and renewing their land.
   
   
2. Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NIV) – The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
   “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
   
   “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
   
   But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
   
   Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
   
   God assures Jeremiah of His calling and promises to restore and build up nations and kingdoms through His chosen messengers.
   
   
3. Acts 11:19-26 (NIV) – “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.  Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.  The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
   
   News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.  He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
   
   Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
   
   The passage highlights the growth and restoration of the early church, showing how God’s grace was at work in transforming lives and communities.
   

Blessing: “I bless you with God’s restoration and renewal. May His grace bring forth new life and flourishing in every area of your life. May you experience His mercy and renewal, bringing a vibrant and flourishing transformation.”

Ask Jesus: “Lord, how can I actively participate in the restoration and renewal that You bring, just as in the passages mentioned?”