THE GOD WHO RESTORES LOST OPPORTUNITIES

THE GOD WHO RESTORES LOST OPPORTUNITIES

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Joel 2:25-26

Key Verse: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” (Joel 2:25)

Supporting Texts: Job 42:10-12, Isaiah 61:7, Jeremiah 30:17, John 10:10, 1 Samuel 30:8

Description: God is able to recover wasted years and bring back missed opportunities in a greater and more glorious measure.

INTRODUCTION:
Life is a journey of seasons and opportunities, and sometimes, people lose valuable chances due to mistakes, negligence, ignorance, or satanic attacks. Such losses can bring pain, regret, and stagnation, making people believe that their time is over. But with God, no loss is final, and no season is irredeemable.

The Bible shows us a God who specialises in restoring lost grounds. He is not limited by time, age, or circumstances. Where man says it is too late, God says it is just the beginning. His power reaches into the past to redeem what was lost, while His grace projects into the future to give new beginnings.

This message is a call to faith in the God of restoration. If you have lost years, blessings, or divine opportunities, God is able to bring them back in fullness, and even greater than they were before. What was wasted can be recovered, and what was stolen can be restored.

1. GOD IS THE RESTORER OF WASTED YEARS
When men waste opportunities, God has the power to redeem time and restore the years that have been lost.

a) God redeems lost time (Joel 2:25). He is able to bring back what has been wasted and compensate His people

b) God restores fortunes (Job 42:10). Job’s end was more glorious than his beginning, for God gave him double.

c) God restores health and honour (Jeremiah 30:17). Where shame was experienced, God restores dignity.

d) God restores joy and peace (Isaiah 61:7). Instead of shame, His people receive a double portion of rejoicing.

Biblical Example: The Israelites were restored after seventy years of Babylonian captivity (Ezra 1:1-4).

2. GOD TURNS LOSSES INTO GREATER BLESSINGS
With God, no loss is permanent. He is able to convert what the enemy meant for evil into a testimony of His glory.

a) God makes all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Even losses are turned into blessings.

b) The thief must restore sevenfold (Proverbs 6:31). What the enemy stole must be returned in greater measure.

c) God brings beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). He replaces sorrow with celebration.

d) God gives a fresh beginning after failure (Micah 7:8). Falling is not the end if you rise again in God.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 50:20). What his brothers meant for evil, God used to exalt him in Egypt.

3. DIVINE RESTORATION IS GREATER THAN WHAT WAS LOST
When God restores, He does not return things in the same measure; He always multiplies and makes them better.

a) Christ came to give abundant life (John 10:10). Restoration brings fullness and overflow.

b) The latter end is greater (Job 42:12). God’s restoration outshines former experiences.

c) God’s restoration is perfect and complete (Philippians 1:6). He finishes the good work He begins.

d) Restoration makes you forget past pain (Genesis 41:51). God gives peace that erases past sorrows.

Biblical Example: Ruth (Ruth 4:13-17). From widowhood and loss, she was restored with honour and became part of the lineage of Christ.

4. KEYS TO EXPERIENCING DIVINE RESTORATION
For restoration to manifest, believers must align with God’s will and apply His principles.

a) Repentance opens the door for restoration (Acts 3:19-21). Turning to God brings refreshing seasons.

b) Faith is required to recover what was lost (Mark 9:23). Faith positions us to receive restoration.

c) Prayer provokes supernatural recovery (1 Samuel 30:8). Through prayer, David recovered all at Ziklag.

d) Obedience positions you for restoration (Deuteronomy 28:1). Obedience guarantees divine intervention.

Biblical Example: David recovered all that was stolen by the Amalekites at Ziklag through prayer and obedience (1 Samuel 30:18-19).

CONCLUSION:
Our God is the Restorer of wasted years, lost blessings, and stolen opportunities. No matter how much time has passed or how impossible the situation looks, He is able to restore in a greater and more glorious way.

Trust Him, obey His word, and remain steadfast in faith. Whatever you have lost in the past shall be restored, and your future shall be far more glorious than your past. With God, your lost opportunities are never truly lost.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Thank You Lord for being the Restorer of my life.
2. Father, restore every wasted year in my life in Jesus’ name.
3. O Lord, let every stolen opportunity be divinely recovered.
4. I receive double honour for every shame I have suffered.
5. Father, reverse every loss in my life and turn it into gain.
6. Lord, let beauty arise from every ash of my life.
7. O God of restoration, bring back every blessing the enemy has stolen.
8. By Your mercy, let my latter days be greater than my former.
9. Father, open new doors of opportunity for me that no man can shut.
10. Lord, restore my joy, my peace, and my glory in Jesus’ name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. You shall recover every lost opportunity in Jesus’ name.
2. You shall experience double for every trouble you have faced.
3. Your wasted years shall be restored in fullness.
4. You shall rise again from every fall and setback.
5. The enemy shall pay back more than he stole from you.
6. You shall experience abundant life in Christ.
7. Your latter days shall be far greater than your past.
8. You shall walk in divine favour and open doors.
9. Your joy and peace shall be restored in Jesus’ name.
10. You shall testify of supernatural restoration.