21st September, 2025
A Fountain Publication

The Lodestar
Online Magazine for the Thinking Christian

Devotional
Repentance and Restoration
“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!” (Joel 2:21). Read Joel 2:18—27.
By Paulson Pulikottil
God may correct us when we stray, but He never abandons us if we are willing to turn back and seek Him. Imagine this: a disaster has struck the land—locusts have destroyed everything, leaving the people with nothing. But this was more than just a natural disaster. It was a wake-up call from God, urging the people to change their ways. Through the prophet Joel, God warned them that things could worsen if they did not repent.
Joel’s message did not go unnoticed. The priests and leaders came together to pray for God’s mercy. They cried, “Spare your people, O Lord, and don’t let us become a disgrace.”
And God, being full of compassion, responded. He showed mercy and promised to restore what had been lost. “I am sending you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied,” he said, assuring the people that he would no longer let them be ashamed among the nations.
When we drift away, life can feel empty and broken. But as soon as we reconnect with God—the trustworthy source of life—things begin to flourish again. He restores everything we lose when we return to Him, even at the first sign of a broken relationship.
If you find yourself feeling distant or disconnected, take a moment today to turn back to God. Seek him in prayer, reflect on his promises, and open your heart to his restoration. Share this message with someone who may need encouragement, and let the hope of God’s mercy inspire you and others to embrace His loving grace.
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