TeaTime Devotional May 22nd, 2025

Written By:    Tynema Highsmith

Scripture:       Lamentations 5:21

Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again!  Give us back the joys we once had. 

Testify:

Restore means, bring back (a previous right, practice, custom, or situation); reinstate.   I have a brother that I watch post videos of his side hustle, floor restoration.     What I appreciate about his pictures is he allows you to follow the entire process.   His first set of pictures is the busted and over used floors that cannot be revived with mere soap and water.    He follows up with pictures of the stripped floor.    These pictures look better than the first but appear dull and lack sparkle or shine.  By the last picture, you see the floor, clean spotless and completely restored with a shine and luster that can last for a long time.   Then I think to myself, is this what you want to do in our life Lord.   Clean US, Strip US, Buff US, and Restore US.  

Edify:

The book of Lamentations; the passionate expression of grief or sorrow, weeping, is its definition.   That would suggest that these people are pitiful and depressed.   They find joy in nothing and have lost their dignity.   They forfeited their houses and land when they chose idolatry.    They now define themselves as strangers and orphans.  They have to pay for what they use to have in their possession.  Their interest rates are out of control.   They went from business owners to living in famine.    I can imagine that they feel like my brother’s floors: the first picture.   They have nothing else to do but to ask God to clean them, strip them, buff them and restore them.     They realize that they have messed up so bad that they need permission to get back right with God.   All they want is their joy back, the last picture. 

Apply:

I thank God for Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross.  I need not lament over anything, because I have access to the Restorer.  All I need is a Psalms 51 moment, a chance where I can cry out Clean me Lord, Strip me of myself God, Buff the me out of me, and Restore me to you.    Is that your prayer?