ODJ: God Our Restorer

July 11, 2016 

READ: Psalm 71:7-24  

You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth (v.20).

Tom, the manager of a car dealership, navigated Jacob around the showroom floor. Pausing at a restored Ford Ranchero pickup truck—one of Tom’s classic vehicles— tears began streaming down Jacob’s face. He then shared the happy memory of working on a farm in his youth. Year after year, no matter the weather, the farmer picked him up in a truck just like that one. Jacob would sit in the back while the farmer and his dog sat up front.

Later, Jacob left the dealership, but he also left Tom— moved by Jacob’s story—with a touched heart. Just a week later, Tom drove the Ford Ranchero to Jacob’s house and gave him the keys—blessing him with something he could only have dreamed of!

From David’s earliest days, God provided for him in special ways. As a shepherd boy, he fought off lions and bears to protect his flock (1 Samuel 17:36). He defeated the Philistine Goliath when no one else could (vv.37-51). And when jealous King Saul hounded him, David fought for his life (22:20-23). David also fought battles of the heart and mind, and although he lost many, he would always turn back to God for restoration—praising Him in return.

The author of Psalm 71 also chose to praise God when times were hard (v.14). In his old age, as his strength was failing, he asked God not to abandon him (v.9). By God’s provision, his life had been “an example to many, because [God had been his] strength and protection” (v.7). He vowed to “proclaim [God’s] power to [the] new generation, [His] mighty miracles to [them]” (v.18). Even though his enemies plotted to kill him, he knew that God would lift him up (vv.10,20).

Today, like David and the psalmist, may we rest in the power of God—our great Restorer!

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan: Matthew 13:44-52