TUESDAY - 28TH MAY, 2024
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO
RESTITUTION IS A SIGN OF REPENTANCE
Luke 19:8, KJV
"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
What is restitution? The act of making good or compensating for loss or injury. It is the straightening of what has been formerly rendered crooked by you. It is when you seek to give or pay back or give accounts and face what you've done wrong.
If you had caused someone pain and heartache, this is where you humbly and in wisdom, amidst counsel and guidance of right people seek to show how sorry you are - asking for their forgiveness. Many run away from this and never made peace with those they had hurt.
Don't forget that while you were in your former life, you acted someway that was detrimental to someone or some people. You ought prove you're all new to that person now. Doing so will be fruits worthy of repentance. This is what restitution helps you do. It makes people have a new perspective of you differently from what they've held before. Restitution isn't a show off but a step by a grieved or sorry heart who wants to make things right.
In our past reading, we saw Zaccheaus restituting. The doing of such act portrays genuine repentance. No wonder Jesus could boldly say, "today, salvation has entered into this house." Why would he say that if he had not judged restitution to be a sign of true repentance and salvation.
In the movie "Big George Foreman" which chronicles the astounding life of the former two times and future heavyweight champion of the world, George Foreman is portrayed as having gone individually to seek forgiveness of those he had caused harm to while an unbeliever. This includes his former wife he cheated on and caused many heartaches. He even sought Muhammad Ali's forgiveness for constantly nurturing the thought of murdering him because of defeating him humiliatingly in a boxing match. Even Ali was shocked at such mile he went. This is putting things right and it shows a new life that has budded. Have you stolen something? Restore it! Did you harm someone? Call or see them (even if it'll be in the company and under administering of respectable people) and make things right. You'll be saving yourself and they too. Restitution makes grudges and thoughts of revenge from the other end to finally melt. If you've done harm and the other is filled with anger and wrath, he might likely nurture a comeback and I sure know you don't want to face the unexpected.
Paul restituted in a manner you wouldn't suspect as restitution. He went in the company of Barnabas to be shown and testified of as having changed (Acts 9:26-28). Until then, he didn't win acceptance from the Christian community. The brethren were just fleeing from him thinking he was only putting on a form and and an act to find them out and haul them into prison. You have to make good what you have destroyed even if you won't be accepted or received. Do this to clear your conscience and have praise of your Father who's in heaven. Those you've hurt won't forget you sought to do good when you discovered it.
Hear God's voice and act in accordance today. Meanwhile, don't restitute without carrying your local pastor along. He/she has wisdom and discernment on how best it should be done. Or else, you might incur avoidable damages in the process of restituting in zeal. Thank God you're touched and now feel sorry but do in the wisdom and counsel of your church leaders.
PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for the losses and harm I've brought to others. As I take a step to restitute, let me find favour. Melt the hardened heart.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:15-31, Psalm 119:33-48, Proverbs 15:33
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