A Turn Around Is Coming – Part 2

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This message explores how God brings lasting turnaround through a loving process—purifying our hearts, defending us in difficulty, and drawing us closer to His purposes.

A Turn Around Is Coming – Part 2

The Process God Uses to Bring Lasting Change

Introduction: Why We Long for a Turnaround

This message explores how God brings lasting turnaround through a loving process—purifying our hearts, defending us in difficulty, and drawing us closer to His purposes.

It is true to say that we all desire a turnaround in our lives. We want certain things to change for the better. Change is often exciting—it creates hope, anticipation, and expectation. In natural terms, we hope for improvement: better health, stronger relationships, greater stability, increased provision, or clearer direction.

When we say “a turnaround is coming,” it implies two important truths. First, it acknowledges that something needs to change. Second, it expresses hope that God is actively at work to bring that change about. A turnaround suggests that life is not yet all that it could or should be—but that God has more in mind.

Our God is deeply invested in turning lives around. His ultimate desire is not merely to improve our circumstances, but to transform us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. He initiates change for His glory, for our good, and so that our lives may reflect His character and bring blessing to others.

However, God’s turnarounds are not random or superficial. They follow a divine process—one that is purposeful, refining, and redemptive.

God’s Process of Turnaround

Throughout Scripture, we see that God often works through three overlapping movements when bringing lasting change:

1. God humbles us to purify us

2. God defends us and turns away our enemy

3. God brings us closer—and lifts us higher

Each of these is an expression of His love, not His absence.

1. God Humbles Us to Purify Us

📖 Zephaniah 3:9 (NKJV)

“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,
That they all may call on the name of the LORD,
To serve Him with one accord.”

This verse contains a beautiful promise of restoration—but it also assumes that something had been lost. God promises to restore purity so that His people may once again call on His name and serve Him in unity.

What Needed Restoration—and Why?

At this time in Israel’s history, the people were again in exile and deeply entangled in idol worship. Their hearts were divided. They had turned away from wholehearted devotion to God and embraced false gods and pagan practices. This was a serious offence, not because God is insecure, but because He alone is worthy of worship. He is a jealous God—not out of selfishness, but because anything that replaces Him ultimately destroys us.

📖 Exodus 20:3 (NKJV)

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

This command reveals God’s heart for wholehearted devotion. God knows that when anything else takes His place—whether idols, comfort, success, or self—our hearts become divided and our spiritual life begins to decay. The exile of Israel was not God abandoning His people, but God confronting their divided hearts and calling them back to true relationship with Him. God humbles us not to destroy us, but to restore us to life, purity, and closeness with Him.

Righteous Leaders in a Dark Season

In this period, two key figures emerge: King Josiah and the prophet Zephaniah.

Josiah was a righteous king who ruled during a spiritually dark time. His father, Manasseh, and grandfather before him were deeply wicked, introducing occult practices, idol worship, and even child sacrifice. This was the environment Josiah was born into—yet he chose righteousness.

Zephaniah, a descendant of King Hezekiah, prophesied both judgment and hope. He warned of the consequences of sin but also proclaimed God’s desire to restore His people. Together, these leaders represent God’s mercy shining through discipline.

The Purpose of Humbling

God allowed exile not to destroy Israel, but to humble and purify them—to bring their hearts back to Himself. Purity of worship leads to unity of purpose. Only then could they truly serve God in spirit and truth.

The same principle applies to us today. God may allow seasons of discomfort, limitation, or loss—not to harm us, but to realign our hearts.

As with children, correction often requires more than instruction. Sometimes privileges must be removed for character to be formed. God disciplines those He loves.

📖 James 4:6–8 (NKJV)

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble… Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… purify your hearts.”

These verses explain the posture required for spiritual turnaround. Pride keeps us distant from God because it trusts self over Him, but humility opens the door for grace. Drawing near to God is not about perfection—it is about repentance, honesty, and surrender. As we turn away from sin and double-mindedness, God promises to come near, cleanse our hearts, and restore us. Turnaround begins when we humble ourselves before God and allow Him to purify us from the inside out.

📖 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us.”

God values long-term spiritual health over short-term comfort. It may grieve His heart to allow hardship, but it would grieve Him more to see us remain distant and divided in devotion.

True turnaround often begins with repentance, humility, and renewed devotion.

2. God Defends Us and Turns Away Our Enemy

Not every situation requiring a turnaround is the result of personal failure. Some struggles arise because we face opposition—spiritual, emotional, or relational.

King David understood this well.

📖 Psalm 56:9 (NKJV)

“When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.”

David did not passively wait for deliverance—he cried out to God in faith. His confidence rested in this truth: God is for me.

God Fights for His People

📖 Deuteronomy 20:4 (NKJV)
“For the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

God never promised His people a life without battles, but He did promise His presence in the fight. This verse reassures us that we are not alone when opposition comes—God Himself goes before us and fights on our behalf. When we remember who is fighting for us, fear loses its power and faith rises in our hearts.

Jesus confirms this spiritual reality:

📖 John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life… abundantly.”

Jesus makes it clear that destruction comes from the enemy, not from God. God’s desire is not only to defend us but to restore what has been stolen and lead us into abundant life. A true turnaround is not just survival—it is restoration, freedom, and fullness of life found in Christ

A Living Testimony: Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom’s story powerfully illustrates this truth. During World War II, her family hid Jews, were betrayed, and sent to concentration camps. She lost her father, sister Betsie, and nephew. Yet in the darkest moments, Corrie witnessed God’s supernatural protection.

She testified that angels surrounded her, rendering her unseen by guards during searches. God defended her in unimaginable circumstances. Her later ministry of forgiveness and hope flowed directly from her suffering and God’s faithfulness within it.

God turned away the enemy—not always by removing suffering, but by sustaining and redeeming it.

3. God Brings Us Closer—and Lifts Us Higher

God’s goal is not merely survival—it is transformation.

He desires to bring us closer to Himself and to lift us into spiritual authority, maturity, and purpose.

📖 Ephesians 3:20–21 (NKJV)

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

No situation is beyond God’s ability to redeem.

Esther: Positioned for a Turnaround

Esther’s story reveals God’s sovereign hand at work—even when He appears silent. God’s name is not mentioned once in the book of Esther, yet His presence is unmistakable.

Esther, an orphan in exile, becomes queen. Mordecai uncovers a plot to destroy the Jews. Esther risks her life to intercede.

📖 Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

“Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

God turns the enemy’s plan on its head. Haman is destroyed. Mordecai is elevated. The Jews are saved.

Even when God seems hidden, He is actively working to bring about deliverance and restoration.

Final Encouragement: Trust the God of Turnarounds

Whatever situation you are facing, God is able to turn it around.

He may humble us to restore purity.
He will defend us when we cry out to Him.
He will draw us closer and raise us higher than we imagined.

📖 Job 37:12 – God directs every turning.
📖 Jeremiah 15:19 – If we return, He will restore.
📖 John 20:14 – When we turn around, we see Jesus.

God is faithful. A turnaround is not only possible—it is often already in motion.

Gentle Reflection

In Part 1, we saw that Jesus Himself is the great Turnaround. He was sent by the Father to heal the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to the captives, restore sight to the blind, and bring people out of darkness and into life. Every encounter with Jesus in the Gospels reveals God’s desire to restore, renew, and transform lives—one person at a time.

In Part 2, we learned that turnarounds do not happen by chance, but through a divine process. God lovingly humbles us to purify our hearts, faithfully defends us against our enemies, and then draws us closer—lifting us higher into His purposes. What may feel like delay, discipline, or even struggle is often God at work, positioning us for deeper faith, greater freedom, and lasting fruit.

Together, these truths remind us that spiritual growth is both a gift and a journey. Jesus brings the turnaround, and God continues the work in us—shaping our hearts, strengthening our trust, and calling us into greater alignment with His will.

As you reflect, consider:

· Where do you sense God calling you to humility and repentance?

· Where do you need to trust Him as your defender rather than relying on your own strength?

· How might God be positioning you “for such a time as this”?

Let us place our faith fully in our faithful God—knowing that a turnaround is coming, not because of our effort alone, but because God is already at work.

Ps Salome

Living Faith Community Church

Ps Salome is a leader dedicated to sharing the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. Her heart is to help you move from a place of uncertainty into a confident, biblical expectation that is rooted in God's deep love for you.

"God invites us to live with hope—not because life is easy, but because He is faithful."