A few weeks ago, a friend who lives far away shared a photo of herself on social media. She was glowing with happiness. The photo brought me joy, because I know she had been through a severe trial a few years back. I sent her a message to express that I was happy to see her so happy. She responded simply with, “God has restored the years the locusts have eaten.”
When Trials Come
When believers go through a trial, we only know parts of the outcome. We know God will use it for our good and his glory, but we don’t know when or how. We know that the pain of this life isn’t worth comparing to the glory that is to come, but glory seems so very far away when you’re hurting. We know that God will be our ever-present help in times of trouble, but “help in trouble” doesn’t necessarily mean the trouble just disappears.
The verse that God will restore the years the locusts have eaten is found in the book of Habakkuk. In that book, Habakkuk is given the unusual privilege of being told ahead of time of the trial, and also the reason for it. But even at that, the answers don’t ease his pain. It is at that point God reminds Habakkuk of who he is and what he has done.
The Reality of Restoration
In other words, if you don’t know what to do, go back and remember what you know. Like my friend, you have to cling to God in the midst of the trial. God will restore the years the locust has eaten, but restoration takes time.
Restoration Comes in Seasons
When locusts eat your crops, that growing season is done for. You are forced to cut your losses and wait for springtime to plant again. That means you have a long winter of waiting and watching. Usually in the dark and cold. This is at best unpleasant and sometimes unbearable.
Restoration Takes Time
You plant in spring and harvest in fall. In between that is a long season of waiting. That is typically more pleasant than the wait of winter, but you still have to be patient. Sprouting fields are a great sign, but you can’t rush it. Things grow at their own rate, and it’s largely out of our hands.
Restoration Takes Faith
As exciting as it is to see the new growth, you now have the worry that the locusts could show up again. It takes faith to plant a field. It takes even more faith to try again after locusts wipe out your crops.
I am happy for my friend. I rejoice in the goodness of God in restoring her to wholeness and happiness. But I mourn the loss and pain that preceded it all.
We don’t always get the answers that God gave Habakkuk. We don’t always get the restoration that my friend received. But we always receive God’s presence in the darkest of winters and the fiercest of storms. May we always look to him for our ultimate hope and help.
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So true!