A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of of December 9-13, 2024
This week we will examine seven areas in which God brings restoration to His people, all beginning with the letter “f”. This is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully this format will make it easy for you to remember God’s goodness. We will study the scripture in Joel 2:25 and use our father Abraham as an example. Remember the big “f” that allows us to receive restoration is forgiveness. Begin to thank God for His forgiveness.
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
Joel 2:25
MONDAY
God restores us to fellowship with Him
And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
Genesis 13:3-4
Abraham built an altar to designate a meeting place with God. This implies a relationship of fellowship. When an altar was established, it meant that you wanted to meet regularly with God. Altar worship was established formally when the law of God was given through Moses, but God established this principle with Adam (Genesis 4:3). The altar of worship had to be established because of man’s sin. Prior to the fall, Adam walked with God. Sin separated us. Restoration puts us back in fellowship with God, first through the Old Covenant and now through the New Covenant. We now meet with God at the altar of our hearts. We have a better communion and better fellowship with God. We can talk to Him at any time.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Psalm 21:4 ~ He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—Length of days forever and ever.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
December 9: 2 Chronicles 8, 3 John 1, Zephaniah 1, Luke 23
December 10: 2 Chronicles 9-10, Jude 1, Zephaniah 2, Luke 24
December 11: 2 Chronicles 11-12, Revelation 1-2, Zephaniah 3, John 1
December 12: 2 Chronicles 13, Revelation 3, Haggai 1, John 2
December 13: 2 Chronicles 14-15, Revelation 4, Haggai 2, John 3
December 14: 2 Chronicles 16, Revelation 5, Zechariah 1, John 4
December 15: 2 Chronicles 17, Revelation 6, Zechariah 2, John 5
TUESDAY
God restores us to freedom
Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.”
Genesis 12:1
When God told Abraham to get out of his country, he was giving him freedom to follow Him. We cannot follow God in bondage and sin. When the Son of God makes you free, you are free indeed. This move that Abram made was a shadow of our new birth. Anybody who is born again can tell you that the new birth experience brings with it a sense of freedom. There is a release from guilt, shame and self-loathing. There’s a release from fear and pride. Every chain that has held us is broken, and liberty comes into our souls.
Similar to freedom, God restores us to fearlessness
Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
Genesis 14:14-16
Remember Abram and his wife Sarai in Egypt? Abram was afraid the Egyptians would kill him and take his wife, so they posed as brother and sister. Almost got the Egyptians killed for that act of cowardice. Well, now that same Abram has fearlessly fought for the life of his nephew, Lot. Something has happened to him, and it is the result of his fellowship with God. Abram has awakened to a strength that compels him to withstand evil. God has restored his confidence to such a degree that he is able to overcome the adversity that has beset his nephew. He will do the same and more for us.
WEDNESDAY
God restores us to fame
[Now the Lord had said to Abram:] “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3
The blessing brings about fame. This happens to all of us, some to a greater or lesser degree. When God restores you, you will get noticed. The favor of God, which births the blessing, causes our names to come to the minds of others. They begin to desire to bless us. People desire to do good by us. Sometimes your face will come to someone’s mind and they will inquire of the Lord regarding you. That’s fame! Your name has been made greater than it was before they thought about you! You are no longer lonely and forgotten! Your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. You are famous!
THURSDAY
God restores us in finances or fortune
Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 13:2
This scripture simply says that God made Abram very rich. This scripture does not require any explanation. He makes us rich, too. We are rich in goods, finances, and all the material things that Abram had. How do I know that? He has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness already. Let’s stretch our faith and believe God for everything He has for us!
God also restores us to friendship
But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend.
Isaiah 41:8
God speaks in Isaiah’s time about Abraham, his friend. God cut the covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham (Genesis 15). The proof of this friendship was demonstrated when God shared His plan for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham and allowed him to give input in His decision through intercession (Genesis 18:17-33). The fact that God hears us when we pray means that we have friendship with Him.
FRIDAY
God restores us to faith
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
James 2:23
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Romans 4:20-21
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. This is a very powerful thing. God looks for those who will please him by putting their faith in Him. When we please God, we are considered righteous. The righteousness of God is imputed to us. We are no longer outside of the covenant. We are free to believe God and to use the faith of God to do mighty things in the earth. We receive the benefit from this because our faith can be employed anytime God gives us the grace to use it. He desires that we use our faith more than we can conceive. His eyes run to and fro over the earth looking for those who will use their faith and allow Him to show Himself strong.