DAY 1: Read Ruth 4:13-22
Ruth 4:13-22 (KJV)
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
In the final 10 verses of the book of Ruth, we find the results of revival and the outcomes of restoration. Ruth and Naomi have been redeemed. Ruth is now a mother of Obed, who is in the lineage of David and of Jesus. Naomi has been liberated from the bondage of anger and despair. Ruth has been liberated from her heathen heritage and is now part of the greatest story of all time. A story that started as a tragedy full of hurt, disappointment and regret is now one of romance, restoration and renewal.
In our churches, schools, workplaces and families, we don’t have to look to far to find hurting people who feel that their world is caving in. Regardless of where that hurt comes from, there’s a need for healing and restoration. We wouldn’t be truthful without admitting that we’ve all been there – to a place where there seemed to be no hope, but at our most desperate time, God intervened and restored us. We find this illustrated by David in Psalm 40:
Psalm 40:1-3 (KJV)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Restoration is a project. To be quite honest, we’re all projects experiencing the handiwork of God in our lives… if we allow Him to work.
Consider that the idea of restoration is not new to a Christian. In fact, it is the very act of restoration that makes one a Christian. Through Jesus Christ, God’s restorative grace provides new life to a sinner, restoring hope and fellowship with God. Just as God provided restoration in the life of a born-again (meaning re-stored) Christian, the Christian must be prepared to help others achieve restoration. In many cases, this means providing the light of the gospel to those who are lost and dying without Jesus Christ. In some cases, it is the duty of Christians to restore brothers and sisters who have fallen.
Examining the topic of restoration deeper, it can be determined that restoration is accomplished first through reconciliation. Consider the following definition:
Restoration: the act or process of returning something to its original condition; bringing back to a former position or condition; that is, reconciling the differences.
If we apply the above definition as a form of Christian action, it refers to mending fractured relationships. In other words, restoration is accomplished by reconciling one to another.
With the above in mind, consider the following from 2 Corinthians 5:
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
From the above passage, we can clearly identify five important principles regarding restoration/reconciliation as it applies to Christians:
- Christ enables restoration by making all things new.
- God provides reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
- God gives those reconciled through Jesus Christ (Christians) a ministry of reconciliation.
- Along with the ministry of reconciliation, God gives Christians the ability (through the Word) to restore / reconcile others.
- The Christian’s restoration and state of reconciliation is testimony of their new life in Christ.
As Christians, it’s important that we exercise the ministry of reconciliation afforded us by God and help other in the restoration process. To be effective in this ministry, it’s important to understand the following:
- Because of sin, our relationship with God is fractured
- We all need restoration.
- God provides a means of restoration through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- The gospel provides restoration by way of reconciling our relationship with God.
- Once we are reconciled to God, it’s our duty to help restore others.
By studying the following passage from Galatians, we can learn more about restoration…
Galatians 6:1-10 (KJV)
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Using the above scripture, we can find the following parallels to the story of Ruth and of Boaz, who is an Old Testament type of Christ, who redeemed and restored Naomi and Ruth:
- Restoration is something all of us need at some point.
- Restoration often is not easy.
- Restoration is conditional based on a person’s response.
- Restoration is a ministry.
- Restoration brings change that is beneficial to those receiving it.
Where are you in your relationship with Jesus? Are you in need of restoration or are you restored? Can you help others as they seek restoration?
DAY 2: Read Luke 6:38. How does giving help restore a relationship? How did God give to provide a means of restoration? What is God’s promise concerning how you give?
Luke 6:38 (KJV)
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
DAY 3: Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-26. What is the ultimate prize that you seek in the race of life? Does your relationship with Christ benefit or suffer from the way you “run?” What are some things you can do to strengthen your relationship with Christ?
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (KJV)
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
DAY 4: Read Galatians 5:7-9. What are some sources of discouragement or distraction that can hinder your relationship with Christ? How does knowing the Truth of the Bible help your relationship with Christ and with other Christians?
Galatians 5:7-9 (KJV)
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
DAY 5: Read Philippians 2:14-16. How does having the wrong attitude affect your relationships, especially your relationship with Christ? What can you do better to have the right attitude and shine the light of the gospel to others?
Philippians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
DAY 6: Read Hebrews 12:1-2. How do the stories of Bible heroes of the faith encourage your walk with God? Why is it important always to examine your life and seek forgiveness for un-confessed sin? What are some things that are holding you back from being all that God wants you to be?
Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
DAY 7: Read Nehemiah 4:1-6. Why is it important to persevere in the work of God even when there is opposition? How does being faithful and consistent help your relationship with Christ? What areas of your Christian walk need to be shored up so that you can withstand opposition – prayer life, Bible reading, devotions, witnessing…?
Nehemiah 4:1-6 (KJV)
1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
