Restoring the year the 'Covid' has eaten!

In the book of Joel there's a promise I've encouraged many to affirm throughout my ministry. People have come to me grieving over 'lost' years--before they came to Christ or even afterward--where the enemy had sent his demons swarming into their lives or loved ones' lives and chewed them up. I've often counseled them to stand on the words of God from Joel's prophecy: "I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25)

Looking back over 2020, I believe we could change one word in that promise. We all need to hear God say, "I will restore to you the year that the COVID has eaten." The Corona Virus pandemic has surely been like an army of swarming locusts, destroying practically everything in its path. I don't know whether the new vaccine will eliminate the Covid threat or further complicate it; but I do know that there's a sovereign God in Heaven who is called Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer. And I know HE is the restorer of our souls and is the SOURCE of restoring a lost year!

(Speaking of the vaccine: my friend Jim Henry said something I enjoyed. He stated that we should require all government officials to take the vaccine first. If they live, then the vaccine is safe. If they die--well, the country is safe!) Of course, Brother Jim was joking, and I am too--so there's no need to start a protest on behalf of our officials. I sincerely pray for them all!

We now enter CHRISTmas week of 2020. And yes, I've spelled "CHRISTmas" that way for many years. It's a simple reminder to my readers and myself that this season is not about US; after all, it's not ChristmUS, it's about Him--it's CHRISTmas! It's the 'mass' (worship service) that celebrates H!S coming into our diseased, distressed, dark world--bringing healing and hope and heavenly light. So it's a right time to ask the Lord to restore our souls and to restore this year that the Covid has eaten. And frankly, I believe our Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, is the ONLY way to restore 2020. No new year, new vaccines, new leaders, new policies or plans or political platforms, new stimulus checks...not one of these can restore this year we've essentially lost.

When the prophet Joel described the plague of locusts invading the entire land, he asked, "Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." (1:2-3) Sounds like a pandemic, doesn't it! Then he describes how to experience restoration: "Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord" (1:14).

Joel goes on to describe what 2021 could look like, after we've been restored: "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never again be put to shame" (2:26). So be it, O Lord! A prayer for all God's people to pray as we enter into the new year is that of David after his "Covid" kind of year: "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation...!" (Psalm 51:12) And a good '2021 verse' is JOHN 20:21, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you." Jesus is our true source of peace, and we in turn are to the carry the Gospel of Peace into a tired and troubled world.

"The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices; for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." Welcome, Lord Jesus! And welcome, 2021!