We believe in the promise that there will be times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. But when we look at our circumstances, we think, “This doesn’t seem like refreshing to me!” That is the wrong focus because what precedes and initiates the times of refreshing is the fact that we repent and return to the Lord. Let us see the whole picture that includes our repentance as a positive progression into all that God wants us to have and be in Him.
Show Notes:
The apostle Peter prophesied that there will be times of refreshing and restoration. And for many years now we have seen restoration happen in the Church. Many of the gifts, ministries, and experiences of the Holy Spirit have already been restored. Along with this restoration, we therefore anticipate the times of refreshing as well. Yet the devastating experiences we go through make it difficult to accept that we are in times of refreshing. We have to remember that this promise of restoration and refreshing occurs because we repent and return to the Lord.
One of the greatest chapters on restoration is Joel 2, where we also read about the outpouring of God’s Spirit on all mankind. But how do the restoration and outpourings come about? They come about because people return to the Lord with weeping and mourning and rending of their hearts. We are not immune from this in our walk with God. The most important thing God is restoring is the personal relationship with Himself on a level we have not known before. As we seek for that relationship, the Holy Spirit puts us in a place of being humbled before the Lord.
This process of repentance and humility is how we experience restoration and times of refreshing. And like Job, it is certainly easy to think negatively about what God leads us through in that process. But as with Job, God’s purpose is to give us the times of refreshing. His goal is the positive work He will do for us and with us. His plan is to restore us to Himself as those sons of God who shouted for joy at His creation. That is why we keep our focus on Him and return to Him with all our hearts.
Key Verses:
- Acts 3:18–21. “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come.”
- Joel 2:12–13. “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning.”
- Joel 2:28–29. “I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind.”
- 2 Peter 3:9. “The Lord is … patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
- Matthew 3:1–2. “John the Baptist came, preaching …, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
- Matthew 4:17. “Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
- Job 38:1–7. “Where were you when … all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Quotes:
- “The Spirit is poured sovereignly, but He rests comfortably where there is repentance, humility, and alignment to His will.”
- “Real repentance is not shame driven. Shame says, ‘Hide. You are unworthy.’ Repentance says, ‘Return. You belong to the Father. You belong to the plan of God for this hour.’”
- “Repentance is not punishment. It’s a doorway back into the love relationship with the Father.”
- “God will do whatever He needs to do to get us into His eternal purpose for our existence.”
Takeaways:
- According to Joel 2, what happens to prepare us for the global outpouring of God’s Spirit and the new day of the Kingdom? It is the brokenness of our hearts and repentance that is a real return to the Lord.
- We must follow the roadmap to the promised restoration and outpourings. There is a divine order to God’s plan as He brings us in alignment with His way of thinking and His will.
- God’s process of humility is not to punish us. It is not to shame us. It is the path we walk on to a fully restored relationship with the Father.
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