Restore Us

Scripture:

Lamentations 5:21 "Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had".

Observation:

Lamentations has been a book full of sorrow because Jerusalem had been totally plundered and there was nothing left. They had forsaken the Lord and the Lord, after much pleading with them and warning them, sent devastation on them. In this verse we see Jeremiah praying a prayer of restoration on behalf of the nation. He realizes that they are in trouble because they had turned from God and that they needed restoration to Him.

Application:

There is much joy in serving the Lord, but sometimes we slowly slip away from serving Him and spending time with Him and our spiritual lives become dull. We lose our joy and need restoration. Jeremiah asked for the joy back that they once had. We should be the same. We live in danger of losing our first love. We need to keep our love relationship with the Lord in tact and fan into flame our love for Him. Asking God to restore us is never a bad thing. The Psalmist said, "restore unto me the joy of they salvation". Often, we need to so the same.

Prayer:

Lord, relight the fire that once burned bright and clear. Restore the joy of serving you and sharing you with others. Restore the longing for Your presence and to spend time with you. I want to remain on fire for You throughout my life and don't want the fires to die down. Keep my passion hot and my desire for you strong.

Your Son,

Jeff