So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust. Joel 2:25a
I woke up this morning with a word – restoration. The book of Ezra is replete with the message and hope of restoration and restitution.
Firstly God stirs the heart of King Cyrus to release the exiles of Judah to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
7 King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah. Ezra 1:7-8
Friend, you are released and free to return to your vision to rebuild. Note these were articles Cyrus’ predecessors ceased. This shows that it does not matter how long the enemy has your stuff for; when it’s payday, he will repay in full.
King Cyrus ordered for all those items to be counted and restored! As if that were not enough, he further said
8 “Moreover, I hereby decree that you are to help these elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River so that the work will not be interrupted.9 “Give the priests in Jerusalem whatever is needed in the way of young bulls, rams, and male lambs for the burnt offerings presented to the God of heaven. And without fail, provide them with as much wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil as they need each day. 10 Then they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the welfare of the king and his sons. Ezra 6:8-10
Therein is the restitution. All their costs were paid in full without delay. Additionally, they were given whatever was required and without fail, they were provided with as many provisions as they needed.
All these were done for the restoration and perfection of that which for so long lay in ruins. Remember, the Jerusalem temple was situated in a mount, called Zion.
From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Psalm 50:2
I prophesy over you and yours, may this 7th month bring about perfection in every area of your life. Your life will be crowned with glory and beautiful ornaments. Whatever was ruined is now rebuilt, whatever was broken, mended, whatever void, filled. Whatever was ill, healed in Jesus’ name!
You are the perfection of beauty – the most beautiful of all places, housewives, businessmen, congresswomen, politicians, or ministers – anything God has called you to, from which God projects, radiates, and manifests.
God’s plan for your life will not be interrupted. As a matter of fact, Heaven has commissioned and dispatched helpers of destiny to help you fulfill your assignment. Without fail and delay receive that which you need for today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and the rest of the year … as much as you need!
Give God praise!