ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 TUSITE SUNE 23, 2026

SAAME 80-85; ‘EFESO 2:8-10

The grace of the gospel promises us both forgiveness and restoration. God will restore us to himself, and he will restore what sin has broken.

Ko e kelesi ‘o e koosipeli ‘oku ne palomesi mai ‘a e fakamolemole mo e fakafo’ou. ‘E fakafoki kitautolu ‘e he ‘Otua kiate Ia pea te ne fakafo’ou ‘a e me’a na’e maumau’i ‘e he angahala.

Workers were restoring a house across the street from us, and I couldn't resist checking it out. I asked whether I could look around. They told me I was welcome, but that I should be careful. A man in the kitchen was swinging a sledgehammer, knocking down walls. A guy on scaffolding in the living room was carefully prying old crown molding off the wall with a small hammer and little wedges. Elsewhere an electrician was using a meter to test the condition of the wiring, I loved that this grand old house, once barely habitable, was going to be made new again. But it wasn't just going to be restored; it would end up in better condition than when it was first built. I've thought about that house throughout the years, because it was a beautiful picture of God's restorative grace. Just as a carpenter uses a variety of tools to restore a house, God uses a variety of means of grace to restore what sin has damaged. The great divine restorer knows exactly what tool to use at exactly the right moment in order to restore what sin has broken. Because sin has wreaked such damage, we are all broken-down people living in a broken-down world, so the restoration themes in the Bible are precious and comforting. 

Psalm 80 is a prayer for restoration, one that we would do well to pray again and again until God makes all things new again. "Restore us, O God. Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" is its main cry. It's repeated three times throughout the psalm:

Turn again, O God of hosts!

Look down from heaven, and see;

have regard for this vine,

the stock that your right hand planted,

and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;

may they perish at the rebuke of your face!

But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,

the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!

Then we shall not turn back from you;

give us life, and we will call upon your name!

Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!

Let your face shine, that we may be saved! (Ps. 80:14-19)

The psalmist asks God to turn his face of rescuing grace toward his children and restore them. "Give us life," he pleads.

Where do you need restoration? Where in your life do things need to be made new? The great restorer offers you his restorative grace today. He has the necessary skills and always uses the right tool. Cry out today for his restorative craftsmanship, and watch what he, in mercy, will do.