From Devastation to Dessert

Have you ever eaten a grasshopper?  The closest I’ve come to downing one was as a child while fishing at my grandfather’s pond.  I would catch a grasshopper in the tall weeds and bait my hook and then feed the fish.  Once I decided to try one.  It was crunchy, then squishy, then out it came; I was totally unimpressed.

God gave His permission to the Israelites to eat these hoppers in Leviticus 11:22.  “Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper.”  Even today, they are considered a delicacy in many countries of the world.  However, there is a darker side to the lowly locust.  A locust and his billion friends have formed plagues since pre-history, devastating crops, and causing famines.

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten” (Joel 2:25 KJV).  Has the enemy ever stolen something from you?  Yea, me too.  But God gives us this promise in Joel that He will restore.  It was said of John the Baptist, Jesus’ forerunner, that he came to restore all things (Mark 9:12).  By the way, I find it interesting that the diet of John consisted of locust and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).  Jesus spoke of John in this way, “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (Luke 7:28). Think about this:  How much more of a Restorer is Jesus Christ, the Living Son of the Living God?

“He restoreth my soul” (Psalm 23:3).  “‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:17).  “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).

The most painful years of my life are now producing the most fruitful years of my life.  “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:3).  “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up” (Psalm 71:20).

The very thing the enemy uses to steal life and sustenance from mankind, God can use to restore life and blessing.  Get ready!  Dessert is on the way!

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever.  Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11).