I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
2 Chronicles 7:12b-14 (NLT)
RESTORED: Brought back to an earlier and better condition.
I would love to see My marriage restored.
I would love to see My children’s respect restored.
I would love to see My sobriety restored.
3 FACTS ABOUT THE RESTORATION PROMISE
1. GOD WILL USE DIFFICULT TIMES TO DRAW ME BACK TO GOD.
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.”
2 Chronicles 7 12, 13 (NLT)
The Lord corrects the people he loves and disciplines those he calls his own… It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace. Now stand up straight! Stop your knees from shaking and walk a straight path. Then lame people will be healed, instead of getting worse.
Hebrews 12:6, 11-13 (CEV)
It felt like we had a death sentence written upon our hearts, and we still feel it to this day. It has taught us to lose all faith in ourselves and to place all our trust in the God who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:9
KEY QUESTION: AM I LEARNING FROM GOD’S DISCIPLINE?
2. SOME OF GOD’S PROMISES ARE…SPECIFICALLY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE.
If my people, who are called by my name… (v.14)
"This is how you should pray. "Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored."
Matthew 6:9 (NIrV)
Since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.
Galatians 3:29 (MP)
KEY QUESTION: AM I GOD’S CHILD?
3. ALL OF GOD’S PROMISES…DEPEND ON DOING IT GOD’S WAY.
If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
Psalms 81:13-14 (NLT)
I wish they would always worship me with fear and trembling and be this willing to obey me! Then they and their children would always enjoy a successful life.
Deuteronomy 5:29 (CEV)
TWO KEY QUESTIONS:
1. HOW DO I BECOME GODS’ CHILD?
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3 (NIV)
It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with…Christ himself. So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.
Galatians 3:26, 27 (GNB)
2. AM I LIVING GOD’S WAY?
…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:24 (NLT)