As I write this final letter of 2024 to you, there is a joy and lightness in the air. Can you feel it? What is that? It’s the promise of RESTORATION! God is doing a marvelous work in the lives of His people, our nation, and His church. Do you want to know why? Because we said so!

For many years now, I, along with others in the body of Christ, have been boldly declaring RESTORATION because of what the Lord told me about it. Regardless of how things looked or felt, I kept that promise in my heart and mouth, and today, I see it with my physical eyes.

Isaiah 42:22 became and still is a roadmap to this promise of restoration, “But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.” You, my partner, know the rest…But I say restore! RESTORE! RESTORE! RESTORE!

This is faith in action. When you don’t see it with your natural eyes or feel it with your natural senses, you keep it in your heart and continually say it with your mouth. In other words, say it until you see it. 

The story of Joshua is one of my favorites. Its truths have carried me through my entire walk with the Lord. Joshua faithfully and wholeheartedly followed the Lord by staying true to everything Moses demonstrated and taught him. When Moses’ time on earth came to an end, Joshua faced the tremendous task of leading the children of Israel into the land of promise. 

There were several things that God gave him as he prepared to possess this land, and I want to share one with you that I believe will aid you in possessing the RESTORATION that belongs to you. 

Joshua 1:2-3, “…arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.”

First of all, notice God’s faith words, which I do give to them. He didn’t say the land which I am going to give them, but the land which I DO give them. Throughout scripture, God called things that be not as though they were, just like He did here. 

Secondly, notice the words, every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you. In this, God is not just referring to natural steps your feet take; He’s referring to exercising your dominion. 

Did you ever experience your mother putting her foot down? Do you remember what that meant? It meant there was a line that you should not and dare not attempt to cross. 

In the same way, concerning the promises of God, we must put our foot down where the devil is concerned. If restoration has been promised to you, and it seems like it’s not happening, put your foot down and declare it to be yours. 

One time, while Smith Wigglesworth was at the bus stop, he watched a lady who had left her apartment and was making her way to the bus stop. A little dog began following her as she walked, so she turned to the dog and, in her sweet voice, said, “No, no, no. Go on back home, sweetheart.” She walked a little further and once again noticed the dog behind her. Again, in more of a concerned voice, she said, “No, no, no. Now you go on back. You can’t come, so go on home.” 

A third time, as she continued her journey to the bus stop, she saw the dog still following her, but this time, she saw the bus coming. She turned around, stomped her foot, and yelled, “Get!” That little dog got the message, turned around, and ran back home. As Wigglesworth stood across the street watching this unfold, he shouted, “That’s the way you have to do the devil, Lady!” 

He’s right, and that’s what I mean by “put your foot down.” I want you to remember this regarding restoration. During the holiday season, there may be opportunities to be discouraged because you haven’t seen all the restoration you desire. Perhaps it is for a family member, a financial shortage, or a physical challenge. No matter what, put your foot down and refuse to give any ground to the enemy. 

I want to leave you with one final thought about restoration. Joel 2:25 says, “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” The Lord recently brought this verse to my attention while ministering. Locusts are a type of demon, serving as an instrument of Satan, and when present, they will eat away at your life. God does not blame YOU for what the locusts have eaten. 

Blame is a subtle form of unforgiveness, which leads to unbelief, and the enemy will do everything in his power to capitalize on it in your life. We know what it is to harbor resentment and hatred towards somebody, and we don’t do that. Yet, many times we tend to blame our circumstances or situations on something or somebody, and it could be ourselves. We ignorantly rehearse the would’ve, should’ve, and could’ves, failing to realize we’re slipping into blaming ourselves or others for what the enemy did. 

Friend, that road gets you nowhere you want to go, and it certainly doesn’t lead to restoration. Stop blaming others, and stop blaming yourself. Turn your blaming into believing, for only God can restore ALL that the locusts have eaten in your life. 

As you close out 2024 and enter 2025, turn any blaming into believing. Keep your foot on the devil’s neck and continue to declare RESTORE, RESTORE, RESTORE! Keep saying it, and you will see it!