01/31/2022
Never Give Up Hope
God cares about the things that are important to you – even the little things. God moved on the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Israelites living in exile to return to their home in Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the Lord (Ezra 1:1-4).
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”
─ Joel 2:25-26 ESV
King Cyrus returned the stolen temple articles back to the people so that they could take them back to God’s temple. And those who chose to return to their homeland gave 5,400 articles of gold and silver (Ezra 1:11). Every precious artifact demonstrated God’s desire to restore His people and His temple.
Never give up on God’s promises.
Although many years had passed and most people may have forgotten what belonged to them, God restored what seemed lost.
You have promises in our verse today. Let God’s word from the book of Joel inspire you to hold on to hope in Him today.
• I will restore to you the years …
• You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied.
• Your God has dealt wondrously with you.
• My people shall never again be put to shame.
You may be discouraged by the events going on in life right now, but hold on to hope. Never give up on God’s promises to you. In God’s time He will restore what once seemed lost to you too.
Today’s One Thing
If you know God personally, thank Him that you are a part of His story, and ask Him for opportunities to share it with others. If you are still looking for Him, ask Him to come into your life.