Joel 2:25a (NKJV): So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust...
'Restoration' means 'something broken (hurt) now made whole again'. For example, a broken heart (or hurt) being mended to a condition like before the hurt happened.
Notice after His restoration (in Joel 2:25), all the verses that follow (till the end of Joel 2) speak about His glory! Joel 2:26 says, 'You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God'. Joel 2:27 follows, 'My people shall never be put to shame'. Joel 2:28 then tells us further, 'And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh'.
The end of something is always the beginning of something else (something new). And so it is, after restoration comes glory!
Let's now go to John 21 for an example (in Peter's life). By this time, Peter must have felt so 'useless' (or even regretful) for denying Jesus (and not standing up for Him), not once, but three times (see John 18:15-27), so much so he gave up ministry and returned back to his old vocation (fishing). Not being able to catch any fish (John 21:3), Jesus then appeared to him and his friends, saying, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were unable to draw the net in because of the great multitude of fish caught! (John 21:6) I don't know about you, but it sounds so strikingly similar to three years back when Jesus first called Peter!
And when Peter realized it was Jesus, he immediately plunged into the sea (John 21:7), maybe out of shame, embarrassment, or awkwardness. But watch what Jesus said after that, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught" (John 21:10), and "Come and eat breakfast" (John 21:12)!
Have you ever made a mistake that's so embarrassing you wished 'the earth would open up and swallow you'? Well, Peter did! But just for a little while, before he re-surfaced again. On a more serious note, how about a mistake (or a bad decision) you've made that cost you so dear, and you're now feeling really regretful about it you wish you could turn back time?
No matter what happened, all is not lost yet, because Jesus still loves you, and He is here to restore you. Today, just as He had said to Peter and his friends, He's also saying to you, "Come and eat breakfast (with Me)". As long as you don't walk out on Him, He'll never walk out on you. Just let not your heart be condemned (Romans 8:1). In fact, He's willing to become condemnation for you, in order for you to have restoration. That's exactly what He did for you on the cross!
Self-condemnation often leads to one's self-inflicted punishment, as happened to Judas Iscariot (see Matthew 27:3-5). Instead of looking unto Jesus who was hung on a tree for us all, he 'took things into his own hands' and hanged himself. As God's beloved, you need not follow Judas Iscariot's way. By the way, the word 'Iysh' (from the word 'Iscariot') in Hebrew means 'act in earthly man's way, or fleshly way'. In contrast, Peter ('Petros' in Greek) means 'rock', who's also after the 'seed' (and the 'way') of Jesus, the 'Rock' of all 'rocks' ('Petra' in Greek). In other words, Peter was after the 'spiritual DNA' of Jesus! As believers, we all are!
Note: Peter himself wrote it (i.e. the believers, as 'living stones', being built up a 'spiritual house') later on in 1 Peter 2:5.
So, how do you respond to a mistake you've made (or a regret you have)? Judas Iscariot's way, or Peter's way? In other words, 'Isyh' way, or 'Petros' way? Both made mistakes, but the difference is one was willing to be restored and to be loved again, but the other was not.
Imperfect as Peter was, at least he was willing. All of us, at one time or another, have made mistakes in life before, but as long as we don't condemn ourselves, we still have hope! And that's when He can also turn your mistakes around for good! Romans 8:28 says, 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose'. Notice the words 'to those who love God' here? In cross-reference, let's go back to John 21 now. After they had all eaten breakfast (and communed) together, for three times, Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me?", and every time, Peter answered, "You know that I love You." (see John 21:15-17)
Note: Interestingly, the number '3' in Hebrew numeric also means 'restoration'. By the way, it also took Jesus about three years of ministry on earth to restore everything that was lost through Adam's disobedience.
As you would have known, soon after, this very same Peter went on to experience a great (and unprecedented) outpouring of God's glory (see Acts 2), in ways he never knew would happen to him and through him! After restoration is glory!
Today, Jesus is here to embrace you again, no matter what mistakes you've made in the years past. Again, just do not condemn yourself. Are you willing to let go of all those hurts (and regrets) to Him at the cross right now? He's willing to take them all, because He loves you dearly, and calls you His beloved. Will you respond to His love and embrace again? Will you allow Him to restore you (i.e. make you whole) again? Blessed are you if you are willing, and like Peter, all things will also work out for good for you this year.
People of God, as Peter was, a year of glory also beckons for you too! So, take heart. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The best has definitely yet to come for you! I release these words to you, in Jesus' name. Believing, you'll have it. Amen.
