“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” – Joel 2:25
Fasting is a pathway to restoration. Life’s challenges and trials can leave us feeling broken, depleted, or robbed of joy and purpose. But God is a God of restoration—He specializes in taking what was lost, stolen, or damaged and making it new again. Through fasting and prayer, we invite His restorative power to work in our lives and declare that nothing is beyond His ability to redeem.
On this fifteenth day of fasting, let’s reflect on how God restores what has been lost and how fasting aligns us with His promises of renewal.
God’s Promise to Restore
In Joel 2:25, God makes a profound promise to His people: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” These locusts represented devastation, both physical and spiritual. Yet, God assured His people that He could bring full restoration, not just of their crops but of their hope and future.
This promise extends to us today. Whether we have faced loss in relationships, opportunities, finances, or spiritual vitality, God is able to restore. Fasting positions us to receive this restoration by aligning our hearts with His will and deepening our dependence on Him.
Fasting and the Process of Restoration
Restoration often involves a process. It requires faith, patience, and surrender as we trust God to rebuild and renew. Fasting is a way to demonstrate our trust in Him, even when the results aren’t immediate.
When we fast, we take a posture of humility, acknowledging that we cannot restore ourselves. We bring our brokenness, disappointments, and unmet expectations before God, believing that He is the only one who can make all things new. As we fast, He begins to work in the unseen, restoring what we’ve lost and redeeming what seemed beyond repair.
Spiritual Restoration
Fasting is especially powerful for restoring spiritual vitality. Seasons of busyness, distraction, or hardship can leave us feeling distant from God. Fasting helps us refocus and reconnect with Him. It clears the clutter from our lives and makes room for His presence.
David prayed in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Fasting allows us to echo this prayer, asking God to restore our passion for Him, renew our joy, and rekindle our spiritual fire.
Restoration in Relationships
Fasting can also bring restoration in broken relationships. Whether it’s a family conflict, a strained friendship, or a misunderstanding, fasting creates an atmosphere for healing.
As we fast, God softens our hearts and gives us the grace to forgive and seek reconciliation. He also works in the hearts of others, repairing what seemed irreparable. Joel 2:25 reminds us that God doesn’t just restore things—He restores people, relationships, and communities.
Restoring Vision and Purpose
Sometimes, life’s challenges cause us to lose sight of our calling or dreams. Fasting restores our vision and renews our sense of purpose. As we seek God, He reminds us of His plans for our lives and reignites our passion to pursue them.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Fasting is a way of waiting on the Lord, trusting Him to renew our strength and guide us forward.
Practical Steps to Seek Restoration During Fasting
- Identify Areas of Loss: Take time to reflect on areas of your life where you’ve experienced loss or brokenness. Bring these specifically to God in prayer.
- Declare God’s Promises: Speak Scriptures of restoration over your life, such as Joel 2:25, Psalm 51:12, and Jeremiah 29:11.
- Trust His Timing: Restoration may not happen overnight, but God’s timing is always perfect. Be patient and remain steadfast in prayer.
- Release Control: Surrender your efforts to fix things on your own and allow God to take the lead in the restoration process.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Look for signs of God’s restorative work, even in small ways, and thank Him for every step forward.
Reflection Questions
- Are there areas in your life where you need God’s restorative power?
- How can fasting help you surrender these areas to Him?
- What steps can you take to trust His timing and process in restoring what has been lost?
Fasting is a powerful act of faith that invites God to restore what has been lost. As you continue this journey, trust in His ability to redeem every area of your life. Let today be a day of hope, renewal, and expectation as you look to the God who restores.
Ron Eivaz Blog 