Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
      
      Yiddish saying: “If his word were a stick, you couldn’t lean on it.”
      It’s that time of the year again when people of different stripes, sizes, and beliefs make their New Year’s resolutions to become a better person or at least try to become more accomplished at something. As so often reported, these promises to self rarely come to fruition because it takes resolve of intent, character of heart, and strength of will to accomplish anything of lasting worth in life. 
      The resolution promised to soul and character will take something more than a whimsical declaration of intent at the beginning of a new year to come about as reality. It will take fortitude and an honest desire to accomplish that which God has hidden in our deepest selves that God birthed within us and will come out at the right time in our lives. Jer. 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 
      This character change within us will take more than a resolution because in most cases it takes the restoration of soul and character to overcome hindrances in life. We do not just want to be seen as doing what is right in life but actually be doing what is right regardless of whether we are seen or not. 
      When we live in that state of being we will not have to wait until a new year starts to try again. We will look for restoration immediately upon noticing we are out of alignment with what God is doing in our lives. Restoration of heart and spirit will be our desire. Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. If we allow this type of honest change in our lives, then what we say and do can be counted on as reliable.
       There are so many areas of our lives that need real restoration and healing. True restoration comes from the Lord who is the restorer of souls and lives. Isa. 57:18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. We often think we can fix our deep personal problem on our own and yet, we just have to look around and see the mess the world is in to know we are failing to fix anything of worth. If we could actually fix things, would we not be in better shape as a human race? John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 
      The restoration of the Lord is a good and complete work. God restores our health and the wounds of our life. Jer. 30:17a For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD. The Lord will restore our soul if we let him. Psalm 23:3a He restores my soul. 
      The Lord will restore our ability to grow and be a blessing to one another. He will restore our dignity and self-worth in Him. Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
      Since I have a choice between restoration in Christ or fulfilling a resolution in my own strength, I will take the restoration by the hand of God because it will be done right and will accomplish a deeper and lasting work in my spirit, soul, and body. Jude 1:24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
      This year’s end brings us to a place of reflection where we look back and calculate whether we are pleased with what has transpired in our lives. The year in review per-se. I am blessed that there have been some great milestones of accomplishment and blessings. I know there is room for much more from God for the coming year. So, we ask ourselves, “Did we accomplish what the Lord put in our hearts? Is there room for greater improvement of attitude and life choices?” There is in my life. 
      I don’t think a promised resolution can pull it off for me. I believe it will take the power of the one who created me and knows me intimately to work a work deep within me to accomplish the purpose which God created me for. Psalm 139:13 For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
      This last year was definitely a year of restoration for me. I personally want to thank God for all the restoration He has done in my life. Jer. 30:17a For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD. The restoration of the Lord works and I hope we all allow the Lord to restore us to a place where we can all be counted on to be a blessing in this world and life. Happy new restoration everyone.