Pictures of Restoration - Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Pictures of Restoration
Your Nightly Prayer for Feb. 10, 2025
By Sophia Bricker

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” - Psalm 126:6

SOMETHING TO PONDER

A news article recently shared that a Dutch company donated 10,000 tulip bulbs to Swannanoa, North Carolina – a place impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. These flowers will grow and bloom from the ground that had only months prior been overwhelmed with flood waters. New life will spring from devasted land. What a wonderful picture of restoration!

Israel had its own share of destruction after Jerusalem was overthrown by the Babylonians, and the Jewish people was sent into exile. During the years away from their homeland, the Israelites suffered as they longed to be restored. And then that day came. Psalm 126 shares how the exiles felt: “When the Lord restored the fortunes ofZion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:1-2). They had returned to their home,e which they thought they would never see again. But still, the work of rebuilding was difficult, and they prayed for complete restoration. They trusted that their tears of sorrow would be transformed into songs of joy and praise, like a dry desert bringing forth life (Psalm 126:3-6).

Such a picture of restoration is a foreshadowing of the ultimate renewal of all things that we will experience in eternity. The prophet Isaiah described this future day with the imagery of a wilderness blooming with flowers (Isaiah 35:1-2). On that day, people will enter Zion with gladness and song. As he wrote, “sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). From our current world filled with the thistles and thorns of sin will come to a New Earth. Where there once was sorrow, pain, and death, new life will spring forth, and joy will come as we dwell with our Savior forever (Revelation 21:1-4).

So, let us bring our pain and suffering to the Lord this day, trusting that the time of our restoration is drawing near. Our world will not remain broken forever. The tears will not always flow. Jesus came to bring us life, a new life that starts now and will blossom fully in eternity. Until then, we can cherish the small pictures of restoration we find, allowing them to point us to the One who is already at work planting the seeds of renewal.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord, You know how easy it is for me to become discouraged. Teach me to notice the pictures of restoration that are evident around me, including the budding leaves after a harsh winter or the rebuilding of a neighborhood and garden after a storm. All these things point to the cross and empty tomb, which brought eternal life and the promise of a renewed creation. May I rest in this promise tonight. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. A story or image that symbolizes the new life that Jesus died to give. How can it bring you hope?

2. A favorite flower, plant, or tree. How does it bring you joy?

3. An aspect of the world and creation that you look forward to seeing made new (for example, the end of all disease or enjoying fellowship with friends and family without strife)

Sophia Bricker Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry, which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, and an MFA in creative writing. You can follow her blog about her story, faith, and creativity at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page.