Joel 1
Joel is the 2nd of the minor prophets and the focus of Joel is Judah's sin, God's punishment for Judah, and Joel's efforts to bring about Judah's repentance. Just like Israel, Judah turned away from God, and God uses a plague of locusts to bring famine to the land to get Judah's attention.
There are times in our lives when God either allows something devastating to happen or He causes it. It's not necessarily something we did (i.e. punishment), as God often allows or causes difficulties for strong believers so that His power is seen through His children. In Joel, it is that Judah has turned away from God and God uses famine and Joel to get the attention of Judah - to get them to see their sin and to get them to repent and turn towards God. Judah (as anyone experiencing a famine would) has nowhere to turn except to God - they become desperate.
We should not wait for calamity to happen - regardless of what we are experiencing in our life we should be desperate for God.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for me during all times - good and bad. Thank You Jesus. I know that without You, I have no good things. I am undeserving of the rich blessings You pour out for me. I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
To you, Lord, I call, for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness and flames have burned up all the trees of the field. Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness. v19-20
Joel is the 2nd of the minor prophets and the focus of Joel is Judah's sin, God's punishment for Judah, and Joel's efforts to bring about Judah's repentance. Just like Israel, Judah turned away from God, and God uses a plague of locusts to bring famine to the land to get Judah's attention.
There are times in our lives when God either allows something devastating to happen or He causes it. It's not necessarily something we did (i.e. punishment), as God often allows or causes difficulties for strong believers so that His power is seen through His children. In Joel, it is that Judah has turned away from God and God uses famine and Joel to get the attention of Judah - to get them to see their sin and to get them to repent and turn towards God. Judah (as anyone experiencing a famine would) has nowhere to turn except to God - they become desperate.
We should not wait for calamity to happen - regardless of what we are experiencing in our life we should be desperate for God.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for me during all times - good and bad. Thank You Jesus. I know that without You, I have no good things. I am undeserving of the rich blessings You pour out for me. I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
