And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. — Joel 2:25
As I think back over my life, there are many things this world has affected. There are defining moments that we can all think about. For example, I think about what life used to be long before the attacks on September 11th. There were many stories I have heard about what life was like before World War 2, before Kennedy was shot, or other things like that.
Our lives are impacted by many things, but one thing that is often overlooked is sin. From the time that sin entered into this world in the garden, it has had a dramatic impact on each of our lives. Many of the things that we all struggle with are because of sin.
In this verse, I cannot help but think about the things being described. Losing valuable resources due to the locusts, cankerworms, and caterpillars. The destruction of the palmerworm. Things that were sent as judgment on sin that affected all the people. But there is the hope that is found in the 4th word, the first phrase of this verse.
God said He will restore. While we are certainly not in Old Testament times, there is a restoration time coming! While we may have to live with the effects of sin in this life, in Heaven, those effects will be gone forever!
There are times in this life when the effects of sin can get us down. They can leave us discouraged, frustrated, and overwhelmed. We may feel like there is no hope. But just remember what lies ahead. It will be worth it in the end. One day, all the effects of sin will be gone!
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