I Will Repay You for Your Lost Years

GOD'S RESTORATION IS ABUNDANT Scripture Reference: Joel 2:25-27 (NIV) "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed." Life sometimes deals us harsh blows. There are times when we feel as though the years of our lives have been wasted—consumed by pain, regret, mistakes, and missed opportunities. Like the people of Israel who suffered from the devastating invasion of locusts, we may wonder if we will ever recover what was lost. But today, I bring you a message of hope and restoration: God promises to repay you for your lost years. 1. The Reality of Lost Years Lost years are those seasons in our lives that seem barren and unproductive. They could be years of rebellion against God, where we walked away from His purpose. They could be years of suffering, where sickness, financial hardship, or broken relationships left us feeling empty. Just like the locusts in Joel’s prophecy, these seasons devour the joy, peace, and fruitfulness we were meant to enjoy. But no matter the cause, God sees the pain of those lost years. 2. God’s Promise of Restoration In Joel 2:25, God makes a powerful promise: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." Notice that He doesn’t just promise to bless us moving forward—He promises to restore what was lost. Only God can give back time and multiply our remaining years in ways that exceed what was lost. He is a God of restoration, not just of things, but of time, opportunities, relationships, and dreams. 3. The Process of Restoration Restoration often begins with repentance. In Joel 2, before God promises restoration, He calls His people to return to Him with all their hearts (Joel 2:12). Restoration follows repentance, as we realign our lives with God’s will. Once we return to Him, He begins the work of restoration in our lives. It may not happen overnight, but as we trust in His timing, God is faithful to fulfill His promise. 4. The Result of Restoration When God restores, it’s not just a return to the status quo; it’s an overflow. Joel 2:26 says, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full." God’s restoration is abundant, and it leads to praise. When He restores our lost years, we don’t just get back what we lost—we receive more than we could have ever imagined. The result is a deepened relationship with God, a testimony of His goodness, and a life filled with His blessings. Conclusion: Whatever you may have lost—time, opportunities, health, relationships—God’s promise to you is clear: "I will repay you for your lost years." Trust in Him, return to Him, and watch as He restores what the enemy has stolen. He is a God of redemption, and your story is not over. The best is yet to come, because God is a God who restores. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your promise of restoration. We bring before You the lost years in our lives, the seasons of pain, regret, and loss. We ask that You would restore what has been taken from us. Help us to trust in Your timing and to walk in faith, knowing that You are able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think. In Jesus' name, Amen.