The Day of the Lord!

The Day of the Lord is a major theme of Old Testament prophecy.  It is not an isolated or a single event in human history.  It describes any period in which God 'comes down in a dramatic way to bring wrath and judgment and awaken the hearts to repentance.  Joel wrote to call Israel to repentance (Joel 2:12) based on its experience of the recent locust plague.  In some contexts, the Day of the Lord also includes deliverance and restoration for the righteous.  The day of the Lord speaks not only of future judgment but also of future hope, prosperity, and blessing too.  When the plague of locusts and the drought devastated Judah, you might have thought that Joel would speak words of encouragement.  He could have said, 'Hang in there!  Things are bad, but they will get better.  Tough times do not last, but tough people do!' Instead, Joel said, 'You think that was bad?  Worse is to come if we do not repent.'  The recent disaster was but a token of a more devastating judgment to come.  Joel's message is relevant today, just as it was in his day!  And it could be averted by sincere and humble repentance (Joel 2:13-14).  That is the message for us today!

Covid has devastated lives, businesses, and nations, just like the locust plague of Joel's time.  If we think this was bad, the message that comes to us today is that worse times lie ahead unless we repent!  Therefore, the LORD says, "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.  ​​So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness" (Joel 2:12-13).  When we sincerely repent and return to the Lord, He has promised to bless us abundantly.  "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust…." (Joel 2:25).  This is a promise I claim every day!  God is faithful and will restore fruitful years to our lives to bring glory to His Name and comfort to His people!

My friend, are you sad that you have lost many years of your life in unwanted activities and wasteful endeavors?  Are you struggling under constant stress and suffering?  Repent and return to the Lord today, and God will add fruitful years to glorify His Name!

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