Read Joel 2:18-27
What divine intervention! If Joel’s earlier words led his audience to believe they would be the laughingstock for belonging to the one true God, this passage lessens the distress. Can we assume that the people did repent and pray and this is God’s response?
Have you ever feared or experienced mockery for your faith? How did that make you feel? Did you realize God was there all the time?
Joel now pivots and rather than prophesy about the locusts and the destruction God promises, he’s prophesying about God’s forgiveness and reconciliation. Were the people ready to give up their sinfulness and live like God desired? We could say the same for ourselves today. Are we holding on to behaviors that aren’t pleasing to God? We might ask, what is our motivation to continue acting in this way?
Where there is repentance, there is hope of restoration. Sometimes it takes hearing the reason for such hope to incite us to change our behavior.
It’s also good to give credit to God for the great things he has done. “Surely the Lord has done great things! Don’t be afraid, O land. Be glad now and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things.” What better way to get us into a mood of worship than to remember the great things God has done for us! The Bible gives us one example after another of how God uses his people for accomplishing great things. You can probably also add your own achievements knowing it was God who intervened on your behalf.
God wants to be known. I’ve said that before, and we see it over and over again. Joel’s prophecy sets out many blessings and promises for a reason. “Then you will know that I am among my people Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced.”
How does it make you feel to know you have the God of the universe talking with you through his word and shining light on what’s really important?
Let’s pray … Lord, I am so grateful for the great things you have done for me and continue to do. Please forgive me if I overlook those blessings. I don’t want to take you for granted. May I keep my eyes focused on you and how you restore your children. I never want to hide my allegiance to you or the awe I feel for how you relate to me and the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
