I will restore them because of my compassion. —Zechariah 10:6

29 Mar, 2021

The Need for Restoration

by Sidhara Udalagama

Good morning!

Today is a good day to be hope-filled.

While it can be discouraging to look at our world and see the challenges, today we remember that hope is possible because God is at work. He is carrying out restorative work on the earth!

In Genesis, we see God’s design for humanity. The humans that God created, male and female, walked closely with Him. He gave them authority over all the earth. God said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).

They had authority, dignity, purpose and opportunity.

But as sin entered the world (Genesis 3), God’s order was distorted. Now we live in a world that is fallen. We face the reality that human beings do not occupy the role they were created to. Instead, we face poverty and injustice, brokenness and despair.

Our world needs help. Humanity needs restoring.

Zechariah is a book that brims with hope. In the scripture above, Zechariah prophesied God’s restoration to the people of Judah, who had newly returned from exile in Babylon. The restoration that Zechariah prophesied was only a foreshadow of the greatest restoration that was yet to come through Jesus, our Saviour. He was pointing people towards our greatest hope.

The good news of the gospel is that through Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross, God began His restorative work in humanity and in our world.

As N.T. Wright says:

“...the ‘good news’ of the Christian gospel is that this new world, this new creation, has already begun: it began when Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead on Easter morning..."

As “God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9), each of us can partner in God’s restorative work in the world.

At Compassion, we want to partner in God’s work by releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. We want to help create a world in which all children can reach their God-given potential. Through the work of Compassion and its partners, we aim to help every child experience the love of God and the restoration of hope He brings into each of their lives.

God is at work restoring the world and, today, we have every reason to be hopeful. As Lamentations (3:23-23) declares:

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your restorative work in my life and in the world around me. Today I choose to lean into hope, to hold fast to Your promise that You will restore us because of Your great compassion. I pray that You open my eyes to see Your Hand at work all around me and help me to partner in Your restorative work. Amen.

Reflection Question:

Is there anyone in your life that needs some encouragement today? How might you be a carrier of hope in their world?

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