The Secret To HOW to be Restored

By Chad McComas

David understood what it meant to being restored. He shared in his now famous song (Psalm 23) of how God was his shepherd and he was God's sheep. In one of the few verses he talked about how God “restores” his soul. In “sheep” language that meant that when he was upside down on his back with his feet sticking up in the air he needed his shepherd to pick him up and put him back on his feet. There was no way he could do it himself.

There is no way we can “restore” ourselves in life. We need a shepherd too. How silly it must look to see a sheep struggling to get back up by itself. Rather, it is very serious, for if the sheep doesn't get righted back on its feet it will die. If we don't get righted back (restored) on our feet in life we will surely die as well. Yet, we continue to struggle to do it ourselves. We spend all kinds of energy and effort flailing our arms and legs in life only to get worn out and eventually die.

What is the secret to being restored? It is amazingly simple, yet much too hard for most. Ask HOW and we have our answer.

HOW = Humble. Open. Willing.

Our restoration is all about who is in charge. Us or God? (humble) About letting God be in charge. (willing) And about doing things God's way. (open)

HUMBLE
James tells us: “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” James 4:10

Micah asked us: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Solomon said: “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4

Jesus told us: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Luke 18:14

God tells us: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

There is no doubt that when we choose to be humble...great things will happen. God is anxious to restore us, but He can't do anything in our lives until we know we can't do it by ourselves.

OPEN
The prodigal son tried it his way. When he ended up in the pig pen we are told that “he came to himself.” He realized that his way didn't work. He was open to going home and doing it his father's way. Being open to hearing God opens the door for the Holy Spirit to do His “restoration” work. In Revelation we are told that those who are blessed are those who “read” and “hear” God's words. (See Revelation 1:3) In other words being teachable, being “open” opens the doors for us (no pun intended)

Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.”

WILLING
Am I willing to let God call the shots in my life? Will I let Him drive the car? Will I follow His agenda? Will I pray? Will I forgive? Will I witness? Will I tithe?

Jesus told us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done...” Matthew 6:10 It's God's way or no way. James says: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Now we know HOW to be restored.

Chad McComas writes from Medford, Oregon.