Joel Osteen - Time Is On Your Side
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God promises in Joel 2:25 to restore the years that the locusts have eaten, making up for lost time due to setbacks, poor choices, or unfair circumstances. Through stories and examples, the preacher shows that God not only redeems us but pays back abundantly, turning lost seasons into overflowing blessing and fulfillment.
Lost Time? God Says No Way!
I want to talk to you today about how time is on your side. We have all been through seasons in life where it feels like we have lost time. We were in a relationship that did not work out—we lost those years. We were not raised in a healthy environment; it feels like we lost our childhood. We came down with an illness or struggled with an addiction—months passed, maybe years. It is time that we cannot get back.
It is easy to think, «That was just a rough season; there is nothing that I can do about it.» But God said in the Book of Joel 2:25, «I will restore the years that the locusts have eaten, the years that the cankerworm and palmerworm have destroyed.»
A Supernatural God Who Makes Up for Lost Time
It is said that time is the one thing that we cannot get back. That is true in the natural, but we have a supernatural God. He knows how to make up for lost time. He is not going to just restore you; He is going to restore the years that you spent in that relationship that did not make it. It feels like it was a waste of time, but God is going to make the rest of your life so fulfilling that you do not think about what you have been through.
He is not going to just bring you out of that illness; He is going to restore the years that you spent taking the treatment. Your latter days will be better than your former days.
Even Wasted Years Get Redeemed!
Here is how good God is: He is even going to restore the years that we have wasted making poor choices—running with the wrong crowd, years you should have been studying but just spent them partying. Years that you should have been raising children, but you were distracted doing other things. Years you should have been pursuing dreams, but you let fear and opposition hold you back.
It should be too late. You missed your chance. God is saying, «Get ready. I am about to restore the years. I am about to make up for the time you missed with your children.» He is not going to just restore the relationship; He is going to restore the years. He is going to make it as if you never lost that time.
That company you spent years at—they did not treat you fairly. God is not going to just turn it around, but He is going to pay you back for what should have been yours.
The Locusts That Stole Four Harvests
In this passage from the Book of Joel, the Israelites planted their crops, watered them, did their best to keep the weeds out. Everything was going great; the crops took off. But when they were about to harvest them, swarms of locusts came in like a mighty army and ate up all the crops. I am sure the Israelites were discouraged. It was not fair; they had worked hard but had nothing to show for it.
They made it through the winter, believing that God was still in control. The next year they went out and planted their crops again. They thought that setback could not stop them. They did not have a harvest last year, but God sustained them; they would have one this year. But when the crops were ready to harvest, here came the locusts just like the year before.
When they saw them over the horizon, I can imagine how their hearts sank as they sat there and watched millions of locusts slowly eat up their crops. It was like pouring salt on the wound. This did not happen just one year or just two years, but four consecutive years—their harvest was completely wiped out.
They were tempted to think, «There is no use even planting. It is not worth the effort. We know what is going to happen; these locusts are going to come right back.»
When the Locusts Keep Showing Up
«Joel, I believe for my health to improve, but every time I go for a checkup it is the same negative report. I am doing my best at work, but I am not being promoted.» Like them, it feels like your harvest is being eaten. You are doing the right thing, but the locusts keep showing up.
While the Israelites were discouraged, thinking they would never see a harvest, God spoke to them through the prophet Joel. He said in effect, «I know it has not been fair. I am seeing what did not work out. I am seeing what has been stolen. And I am not going to just stop the locusts; I am not going to just give you a harvest this season. I am going to restore the years that were stolen. I am going to give you this season’s harvest plus four more harvest seasons.»
That is how amazing God is—He is going to make up for the years that you have lost.
Overflow After the Famine
The scripture went on to say (Joel 2:24), «Your threshing floors will be full of grain; your storehouses will overflow with wheat and oil. You will have an abundance and be satisfied.» Notice what happens when God restores: abundance, overflow, more than enough. They had been in famine, not seeing any increase, and suddenly God not only turned it around but paid them back for the lost years. He made up for what should have been theirs.
God is keeping a record of everything that should have been yours. He knows what you did not get. He saw you working hard raising those children, making sacrifices, but they have not turned out like they should. He saw you taking the treatment, keeping a good attitude, praising Him when it was not improving, thanking Him when you did not feel well.
He saw you struggling with the addiction, trying to beat it, going to counseling, quoting the promises, but it has not changed; your harvest has not come.
Payback Is Coming—Big Time!
Do not worry; it is on the way. God is not going to just free you, just heal you, just turn your children around—He is going to restore the years that you have lost. You are going to still get a harvest from all those years you prayed, those years you believed, those years you did the right thing, you worked hard, you helped others. That harvest has been stored up.
The enemy may think he took it, but God has the final say. He has blessing stored up for you. When He restores the years, you are going to be more fulfilled than you have ever been. You are going to be healthier, stronger, with more energy. You are going to have better relationships than you have ever dreamed. You are going to overflow with blessings, overflow with joy, overflow with favor.
A Heartbreaking Divorce Turned to Joy
A man I know was married at a young age. They struggled as a young couple, had some rough years, but he was determined to make it work. He went overboard to love, to forgive, to go the extra mile. They had two children, but at one point the wife checked out; she was done. This man kept being his best, raising the children basically by himself. The wife was still there, but she would not have anything to do with him.
He kept praying, believing, asking God to turn it around. But on his twentieth wedding anniversary she left a note saying that she was leaving. This man was so heartbroken. When I saw him, it looked like he had aged twenty years. He was normally so upbeat, fun, positive, but it was like all the life had been drained out of him.
I tried to encourage him, let him know that there were good days ahead, but he was so down. He said, «I have invested all this time. I poured my heart and soul trying to make my marriage work, and it was all for nothing.»
God Heals AND Restores the Years
God sees the years you have lost. He knows the pain, the hurt, what was not fair. The beauty of our God is that He does not just heal the wounds; He restores the years. He makes up for what was not fair.
You may feel like you are in one of those lost years: the pandemic has slowed your business, put your dreams on hold. You are dealing with an illness; a child is off course. You have invested so much, but it looks like it was wasted—the locusts came and ate up your harvest.
Stay encouraged; payback is coming. God is keeping the records. He knows how to not just restore you but restore the years that were stolen, the years that were unfair, the years that were lonely, the years you struggled with that depression.
When God restores the years, you are not going to look like what you have been through. When He makes up for what should have been yours, nobody is going to know that you had the illness; nobody will know you went through the breakup. You will be so blessed, so happy, so healthy—nobody will be able to tell.
From Ashes to Overflowing Happiness
Over time my friend began to get his joy back, his passion back, his vision back. Instead of living defeated, he started thanking God that there was beauty for those ashes, that what was meant for harm God was turning to his advantage.
Three years later he met a beautiful young lady; they fell in love and ended up getting married. I will never forget what he told me. He said, «Joel, I have never been this happy in all my life. I never dreamed I could be this fulfilled. I did not know what a healthy relationship was.» What was that? God restoring the years that were lost.
God knows how to make up for what should have been yours. And just because it has not happened yet does not mean that it is not going to happen. God is storing up what belongs to you. I believe He is about to release some of those stored-up blessings.
Divine Connections and Sudden Increase
When He restores the years, you will see increase that you have never seen—blessings that will catapult you ahead, divine connections, people better than you have ever imagined. Those locusts may have eaten up your crop, so to speak; they may have taken your harvest. The good news is: it is only temporary.
Everything that belongs to you is coming back—the health, the freedom, the promotion, the joy, the victory. It is not coming back like it was; it is going to come back pressed down, shaken together, running over. When God restores the years, like with my friend, your joy will overflow. You will have an abundance of opportunity, an abundance of resources, an abundance of good health.
From Slavery to Loaded with Blessings
The Israelites had been in slavery many years. They were mistreated and forced to work long hours, given quotas that were impossible to meet. Despite how unfair it was, they kept working hard, being their best, but not seeing any increase—no harvest. They thought it was permanent. They had already accepted that they would never be free.
But God sees when you are being mistreated. He sees when you are doing the right thing but the locusts are eating your harvest. It may feel like God has forgotten about you; you have accepted that you will always struggle, always be at a disadvantage, always have that trouble at work. No—your time is coming.
God said in Exodus 3:7-8, «I have seen the affliction of my people. I have heard their cries, and I am coming down to deliver them.» God was saying in effect, «Enough is enough.»
When God Says «Enough Is Enough»
There will be a time when God says, «That is it. I am coming down to vindicate you, to heal you, to promote you, to pay you back for what you are owed.»
The Pharaoh that was holding them captive was very powerful. He had a huge army, the latest equipment, chariots, skilled warriors. The Israelites had none of that—no chance in the natural; they were slaves. But God is not limited by what you do not have, by who is against you, by how powerful the sickness looks, by how long you struggled, by how far that child is off course. Nothing can stand against our God.
When He comes down to deliver you, all the forces of darkness cannot stop it. Do not focus on how big your obstacles are; focus on how big your God is. He flung stars into space; He spoke worlds into existence. He is saying to you what He said to them: «I am coming down to deliver you. I am coming down to make things happen that you could not make happen. I am coming down to restore the years that you have lost.»
Loaded Down with Gold and Silver
God sent plague after plague on Pharaoh and his people. He was stubborn, but he finally agreed to let them go. I am sure the Israelites were thrilled to be free—it was a day they never dreamed would happen. They were satisfied to just be leaving, but God was not satisfied.
He does not just bring them out; He restores the years that were stolen. He pays you back for what should have been yours. On their way out, the scripture says God caused the Israelites to have favor with their oppressors, and they gave them their gold, their silver, and their clothing. One version says they left loaded down with blessings. What was that? God paying back for 430 years of working as slaves.
God is keeping the records of what you are owed—of those times you have done the right thing but the locusts ate up your harvest. You did your best, but you did not get promoted. The loan did not go through; the anxiety did not go away. Despite it all, you kept believing, praising, being good to others. Your time is coming.
Your Stored-Up Harvest Is Coming
God is storing up the harvest that should have been yours. It seems like the locusts are eating it; the truth is, what God has for you is still on the way. The joy that should have been yours—those years you were dealing with depression—it is still coming. The resources that should have been yours—those years you were overlooked—they are still on the way. The healing, the good relationships, the victory you missed out on—it is still in your future.
Restoring Daddy-Daughter Time
Our daughter Alexandra was born a month and a half before my father went to be with the Lord. During that time he was on dialysis. Many times I would take him up to the clinic—it was a very busy season. Then when he went to be with the Lord, our whole life changed. I was thrust into this position; I was doing my best just to stay afloat.
I do not remember very well the first couple of years of Alexandra’s life. We were in such transition; I was learning how to minister, trying to figure everything out—it consumed me. Several years later I realized I did not have the same memories of Alexandra’s first few years like I did of our son Jonathan’s.
I said almost in passing, «God, I am asking You to restore those years that I lost by being so busy and so preoccupied with other things.»
Alexandra was eight years old when I prayed that. All she wanted to do was to be with me. She would rather go out in the backyard and let me watch her do cartwheels than go over to her friends’. Sometimes I needed a break. I would say, «Why do you not go swimming with your cousins? Why do you not have your friends over?» She said, «No, Dad, I want to stay here with you.»
She would come up to me all through the day, put her arm around me, walk around the house—we were the best of friends. She is twenty-one years old now… I am just kidding; we are still the best of friends!
No More Regrets—God Redeems Time
You know what that was? God restoring the years, making up for lost time. God is going to do that for you. He is going to restore opportunities that you missed. He is going to restore relationships that are not what they should be. He is going to restore the years you lost not making good decisions, giving in to compromise.
You do not have to live in regrets, thinking you have missed your season, it is too late to accomplish your dreams, too late to have a good relationship with your family, there is too much water under the bridge. God knew we would make mistakes. He is not going to just redeem you; He is going to redeem the time. He is going to give you another chance.
Do not believe those lies that «You are too old; you have made too many mistakes.» You would not be hearing this if God was not about to restore the years. He is about to make up for that harvest that you missed.
The Clock That Went Backwards
I have a digital clock on my bathroom counter at home. It gets its information from a satellite. Unlike older clocks that rely on their own software to keep time, these digital clocks sync from a master clock transmitted from a satellite.
A while back I was about to get in the shower one evening, and I noticed that it was 9:30. A few minutes later, when I got out of the shower, I looked at the clock; it read 9:22. I thought, «That is strange. I know it was just 9:30.» I thought I must be seeing things. While I was watching it, the clock went back to 9:18. In a few seconds it went to 9:07. It kept backing up.
Now I realized it was getting bad reception, but I had never seen that happen before. What is interesting is that day I had a very busy schedule; I had a lot to do, but I hardly got anything done. I had interruptions, delays, things that did not work out. I was kind of frustrated, thinking what an unproductive day.
When I saw the clock go backwards, it was as if God was saying to me, «Joel, quit worrying about what you did not get done. I control time. I can back things up. I can make up for lost time.»
God Can Turn Back Time for You
You may have missed opportunities, missed relationships—they were there, but you were distracted, you were not focused; they passed you by. Do not worry; God can turn back time. He is about to bring things across your path that should have been yours years ago. You missed it the first time, like I did with Alexandra—God is about to give you another chance. He is about to turn back time.
I was at a book signing years ago; I met this lady. She and her daughter were estranged; they had not spoken to each other in years. She had reached out to her daughter many times with no success. Now she was discouraged, feeling guilty.
She heard me talking about how God can restore the years that were lost, even when it was our fault—how He can turn back time and give us another chance. Faith rose in her heart; she said, «God, do that for me.» She kept trying, but the daughter would not have anything to do with her.
Months later she came to that book signing. Out of the hundreds of people there, she noticed that her daughter was in line. She had not seen her in person in years. She went over to her—it was a divine appointment. They embraced, held on to each other. While they wept, healing was taking place.
When they came up to the table, they were both still weeping. The mother told how she did not know her daughter watched this on television. She had no idea she would be at that book signing, but that was a turning point. Today they are the best of friends; they do everything together.
God knows how to turn back time.
It’s Never Too Late for Your Dreams
It is not too late for you to have good relationships. It is not too late for you to accomplish your dreams. God is about to put you at the right place at the right time. He is going to make things happen that you could not make happen.
That time you lost being at odds with people you love—God is about to restore those years. That time you spent fighting the illness, not able to go to work, not pursuing dreams—God is going to turn back time. He is going to make up for what should have been yours.
The locusts may have eaten your harvest; they may have delayed some things. The good news is: God is going to pay you back. He is going to restore those years of harvest that you missed out on.
Sun, Stand Still—Time Freezes for Victory!
One time Joshua and the Israelites were battling five armies. God told Joshua that he was going to win. The problem was, they were running out of time. It was about to get dark, and the enemy forces would escape. They could regroup and come against Joshua again. He knew he needed to finish them off; he just needed more time.
But instead of being discouraged, thinking it was too late, Joshua was bold. He looked up in the sky and said (Joshua 10:12), «Sun, stand still. Moon, stay where you are.»
I can imagine people looking at Joshua, thinking: Are you crazy? You think you can stop time? You can pause the solar system so you can finish this battle? The scripture says the sun stopped in the middle of the sky. It stood still until the Israelites defeated their enemies.
It may feel like it is too late for you to accomplish dreams—too late to get your degree, too late to write that book, too late to overcome that obstacle. If you just knew back then what you know now, then you would have stayed in school. You would have raised the children differently; you would have started that business—if you just had more time.
God Freezes Time So You Finish Strong
God is going to do for you what He did for Joshua. He is going to freeze time so you can finish what you started. He is going to help you accomplish what you could have accomplished in an earlier season in life. He is not going to let you miss your destiny.
You are not running out of time—time is on your side because God is on your side. He controls time. He is not limited by a clock, by a calendar, by age, by years.
This is your chance to step up to a new level—your chance to break the addiction, to go back to school, to make your marriage great. God is going to cause you to accomplish more in less time. He is going to make you more effective, more productive, more focused, more skilled. There is going to be a greater favor on your life.
Now, do not sit back and think, «I waited too long; I am too old. I do not have the experience, the training, the discipline.» No—this is a window like with Joshua where God is going to freeze time. He is going to give you the opportunity to finish what you started.
103 Years Old and Finally Graduating?!
I met a lady after the service; she was 103 years old. Her mind was as sharp as can be; she had a great sense of humor. She told how she promised her mother that she would get her college degree, but she got married and spent years raising her children. Then she worked in an office at this large company. After she retired she was busy with the grandchildren. But in the back of her mind it always bothered her that she did not keep her promise. She kept putting it off.
In her nineties she started having some health issues. After spending a couple of months in the hospital, it looked like she was not going to make it, but somehow she recovered. When she was released, she told the doctors that she was going to go back and get her college degree. She spent three years finishing up her degree, and at 103 she was the oldest person to ever graduate from that university.
God knows how to freeze things until you accomplish what He put in your heart.
Your Destiny Still Has Time
It may feel like you are running out of time, but God would not have planned out your days, He would not have given you a destiny and then not give you the time to fulfill it. It may seem like it is too late—you have missed your season. If you were to pursue that dream twenty years ago, it would have worked. If you would have invested in your marriage, your business, your children back then, you could have accomplished it. No—there is still time.
I wonder what would happen if you would do like Joshua and say, «Sun, stand still. God, I need more time to spend with my children. I did not know back then what I know now. I need more time to finish my education, more time to accomplish my dream.»
God gave Joshua almost an extra day to finish his assignment. God said He would restore years that you have lost. You are not running out of time. Time is on your side.
I believe and declare: everything God put in your heart will come to pass. What the locusts have eaten—all those harvests that belong to you—are about to show up. God is about to restore the years that were stolen. You are going to see favor like you have never seen—healing, freedom, breakthroughs, promotion, the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus’ name.