Can God restore what has been lost?

One day as I did my accounting, I got really upset because I realized that money had been fraudulently withdrawn from my account several times within a year. The stolen amounts weren't small, either! My first thought was that it was too late—I'd been robbed and would never get my money back. But then I thought further—hadn't I given my whole life to God? Yes, I had, and my life is His every day! That means even my finances, from my car to my apartment, are His.

In that case, someone had stolen from God. Although it hurt in the moment, I knew I could give this burden to God and draw anew from His abundance.

John says, "From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:16, NLT) In the Amplified version, the verse reads, "For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]." (John 1:16, AMP)

Where do you feel you've been cheated or deprived? In a friendship that you put so much time and love into? In a romantic relationship? In a job, where perhaps someone else got promoted instead of you? Don't think it's too late or all is lost! Though it may not be in a way you expect, God declares in His Word that He "'...will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts…'" (Joel 2:25, NLT). He is a giver, and He loves to restore and bless those who love Him!

No one can take away what God generously wants to give us. Release into His hand what has hurt you and express your trust in Him. He is a God of endless possibilities!

Let's pray together today…"Jesus, You see how hurt I am by what has happened, but how small and insignificant this situation is compared to what You want to give me out of Your abundance! I entrust my whole life to You, and I praise You for Your generosity! In Jesus' name, amen."

You are a miracle!

Dèborah