His Heart, My Home

Joel 2:25 – “So, I will restore to you the years…”

The Hebrew word (shanah) translated as “years” means “a cycle ; to do again, but differently.”

Did you notice that the meanings of this word are almost completely opposite? To “repeat” and yet “change” are seemingly contradictory. Only Holy Spirit, our Teacher, can give us the insight and understanding we need.

We experience life as cycles of time in this age:

● Daily – wake; work (or recreate); sleep; etc.

● Seasonal – spring; summer; fall; winter; etc.

● Annual – one orbit of the sun; birthday; etc.

● Life – birth; life; death; next generation; etc.

But reality for the Christian consists of a series of ever-ascending circles, which we should see as a spiral.

(*Amazing Fact: The DNA molecule, the blueprint for all life, is a double-helix spiral! The Creator hardwired that life-spiral into every one of His creatures!)

We were born again of His Spirit (created spiritually in the image and likeness of God), but are still being transformed (in our souls) into His image and likeness more perfectly, day-by-day, as we continue to fellowship with Him, and renew our minds through His Word.
(1 Peter 1:23 and Romans 12:2)

“We can all draw close to Him with the veil removed from our faces. And, with no veil, we all become like mirrors, who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into His very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, Passion Bible)

“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter until the perfect day.”
(Proverbs 4:18)

When a person breaks fellowship with the Lord because of sin, he goes back into “circle-mode”, just like the unregenerate, wandering aimlessly, round-and-round, and making no further upward progress.

For example, because of disobedience and rebellion, the Israelites wandered confusedly in the Wilderness of Sin (Hebrew word = thorns) and circled around and around Mount Seir, (Hebrew word = demonic tempest) until God said, “You’ve circled this mountain long enough.”

They took 40 years to arrive at a destination they could have reached in 11 days!

The good news is this: when we turn back to the Lord in repentance, He restores our operating system, reinstating us to a position where we can continue our upward path. He uploads new software into us, minus the bugs, and reboots us. We quickly see that “Back-On-The-Go 2.0” operates way faster and more efficiently than the old system we had that crashed!

Listen to the cry of David’s heart as he turned back to the Lord in heartfelt repentance: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by your generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12)

The Hebrew word for “restore” (shub) means to bring back to the source of refreshment a life, which has become weary and faint from wandering in the wrong direction.
(“Hebrew Honey”, page 218)

David was exhausted from wandering in the wilderness of Sin, the “demonic tempest of thorns”. He remembered the lush, green pastures and crystal clear streams that refreshed and restored his soul, so he cried out, “Lord, restore to me the joy of my salvation!”
(Psalm 23)

The Passion Translation of Psalm 51:12 says, “Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring me. Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say.” David knew that his renewed communion with the Lord would bring to his life:

● Restored passion

● New hope and joy

● Powerful breakthroughs

● A renewed commitment to obedience

How could David (or any of us who have failed to be faithful to the Lord) expect that God would not only welcome our return, but lavishly pour out His love upon us?

Do you remember the last phrase of David’s heart-cry to God in Psalm 51:12? He said,
“..and uphold me by your generous Spirit.”

He is gloriously gracious and generous with us, whether we have been ripped off by the enemy,
(Job 42:10 – God restored twice as much to Job)

Or, whether we limped home, smelling like a pig, after wasting our inheritance on wine and wild women. (Luke 15:22, 23)

Abba says, ” Don’t even remember the former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now, it’s sprouts, and grows, and matures. Don’t you perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness, and open up flowing streams in the desert.
(Isaiah 43:18,19, Passion Translation)

The NKJV of verse 18 says That we should not “consider” the things of old. The Hebrew word for “consider” (bin) means to perceive; to discern; to consider. This word also means to cause or allow separation.

God is saying, “Don’t look back. Stop dwelling on the past. Forget your past failures. Don’t let the lapses in your fellowship with me create a chasm of separation between us. Come to me and abide with me. My love will be a bridge to the healing, restoration, and wholeness, you will find in my heart.”

There’s nothing left of the past, but a faint memory, and even that is quickly fading into nothingness. So let’s “celebrate like there is no yesterday.”

“He broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise. He has torn the veil from me, the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glorious garments of gladness!”
(Psalm 30:11,12, Passion Translation)

I don’t know what you want to do right now, but I’m going to stop writing and do some ecstatic whirls right now! Hallelujah! I am redeemed and I am restored!