Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

Restore: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state

House is sold as-is.

During my day job, I am an internet marketer for my Realtor Stacy Owens. During my work, I was listing a home that was being sold as-is. That’s code for needs some work. In the description it also says “lots of potential”. I think this home probably needs some restoration.

American Restoration

My husband and I love those restoration shows on History.com. One of our favorites is American Restoration. In this show people bring in old rusted out objects for Rick to restore. He tells them everything he has to do to make it right again. Inevitably the estimated price is stated. Last night, one of the gentleman who brought his item to be restored, upon hearing the price asked, “Why so much?”.

God’s Restoration

Like the items that are brought to Rick’s Restoration, we come to God worn out and sinful. It’s like our perfect exterior has been worn away by life. Our insides aren’t in much better shape. They’re decayed by sin. We’re falling apart. But when God looks at us He sees our potential. He knows what we are in our soul. He still remembers our original state of perfection.

Like New

When people bring their items to Rick, they usually ask for items to be like new and in working order. Isn’t that what we want from God too? Don’t we want all those hurts, pains and sins to be taken away and replaced with someone who is like new and ready to work for the Lord? Sometimes when we come to Him, we’re not only worn down and broken, but we’re in pieces too. We feel like it will be impossible to ever be right with God or ourselves again.

Cast me not away from your presence

In the verse above we hear the author crying out to God not to throw him away. We don’t want to be separated from God and His love. We want to remain close to Him. We want to be renewed with the Holy Spirit inside of us. We want to remain in his presence.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Who doesn’t love a makeover? But what God does for us through Jesus Christ is He restores us; Makes us new again. God restores us through the hope that comes in Jesus Christ. Knowing that we will go to heaven to live with Him one day, allows us to live our lives for Him. It isn’t because of anything we do, it’s because God restores us that we’re able to have joy and be useful.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

What are we supposed to do once we’re restored? We are to go and tell others of what Jesus has done for us, so that they too might be restored. We can be restored here on earth, but the true restoration comes when we enter His heavenly kingdom.

Why so much?

Remember that question the guy asked Rick when he was getting a quote for restoring his project? Why so much? Rick’s answer was, “It’s very important to me to get it exactly right.” He also tells that man it’s going to take a lot of time for it to get done. That’s how God is. He’s willing to put the work in you so that you are constantly being restored towards righteousness. It’s not something that happens over night, but takes time, a lifetime. So what’s the cost? The cost of being restored is Jesus’ life. Why so much? It had to be done exactly right.

Are you like new and in working order?