Joel 3- Perfect Timing

 ”Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, In that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will flow with water, and a spring will issue from the Lord’s house, watering the Valley of Acacias.“

‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬, ‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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God it telling His people that at a specific time, He will accomplish all that is prophesied, both the punishment and the blessing.  It will not happen until the timing is perfect…

If I am honest, Gods timing rarely lines up with mine…When He does things quickly, I wish He would have waited longer…When He is working slowly, I beg for Him to move faster!  I often wonder if He is doing anything at all!  However, when I look back and have some perspective, I see that EVERY TIME: His timing is perfect!!!

Lord, help me to trust Your timeline…give me eyes to see how You are working and faith to trust You when I can’t see it.  You are always faithful.  You are always good.  You are always working things for my growth and blessing.  Help me to trust Your timing and rest in knowing You have perfect timing!

Joel.2-Repentance and Blessing

 ”Even now — this is the Lord’s declaration — turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering to the Lord your God. 

I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust — my great army that I sent against you. You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame. You will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame.“

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭14‬, ‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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The description of total destruction continues with a terrifying image of a shadowy army decimating everything in its path…then suddenly the narrative is interrupted by good news: “turn to the Lord with your whole being”!  Don’t make a show of it on the outside, but really make the changes on the inside.  That is what the Lord wants!

Joel goes on to say that if we repent, God will bless us by restoring all the things we had lost in our rebellion. He will make Himself known to us and we will live in satisfaction.

Lord, You know my heart…You know that when I was attempting to chase after what seemed right to me, it never led to satisfaction…always to needing more.  Now, You have changed my heart, changed my desires, and brought me peace.  You are near and guide me and continue to bless me in so many ways.  Thank You!

Joel 1- Monumental Moments

 ”Hear this, you elders; listen, all you inhabitants of the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation. What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten.“

‭‭Joel‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I thought Hosea was bad…Joel starts off with utter destruction of everything good.  Not like Job where he loses all he has, this destruction is of all there is and even the future potential for anything life giving.

God tells Joel to pass on this horrible message that will have lasting impact…so devastating that your great, great grandchildren will talk about it.  It will shape 5 generations (or more) of Israelites (technically more than that because we are talking about it today!).

I want my great, great grandkids to hear about things in my lifetime, but I want them to be positive and lovely.  Lord, help me to follow you so closely that people generations later will hear stories about the awesome work You have done.  I don’t need anyone to remember me, but let me participate in your incredible transformation of our family, our church, our city, our state, country and world!