The prophet Joel is interesting for a lot of reasons and reading what He says in three oracles is fascinating to get an idea of who God is and how He engages not just with His people, but with those around His people.
A major theme of this prophetic utterance is the Day of the Lord. There is an understandable first approach to what this Day is like, helped by statements such as …
The day of the Lord is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be! (Joel 1:15 NLT)
It’s worth considering where that statement is made and who it’s made to. The scenario described by Joel is a very grim one. Devastation and destruction are the order of this Day as vividly described further in this vision.
Fire burns in front of them, and flames follow after them. Ahead of them the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. Behind them is nothing but desolation; not one thing escapes. (Joel 2:3 NLT)
Imagine that – visualise that. It was looking good before the plague descends on the land. Afterwards the comparison is stark. Again though, it’s worth stopping to consider who suffers this? Are these the outright enemies of God? Why is this day such a bad day?
Discovering that the intended recipients of this devastation, desolation, destruction are actually God’s people should make you pause for thought and genuinely ask: What do you have to do to incur this kind of day from the Lord?
That’s a question worth considering just in case such a day isn’t just reserved for one nation … As that’s pondered, there’s also the seriousness to which such an oncoming day should be considered and a subsequent response.
Reading these depictions of the extent of the devastation and what could possibly bring that about, makes me stop and wonder if we really take our circumstances seriously. If we really look and see if we are sensitive to our relationship with God and never take it for granted, never assume it as though it’s automatic just because we said a prayer or got wet once.
It’s also worth reflecting on this: when we look at it, is our responses to our circumstances genuinely heartfelt – not for show, not to tick a box, not out of a fleeting emotional moment. There are settings where feelings can be manipulated for the moment and folks can say and do things to fit in with the crowd mentality. Then not long afterwards things return to the way they were before. Whereas a broken and contrite heart isn’t one that’s quick to return to anything other than returning to the Lord. Doing so with this hope,
Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before. (Joel 2:14 NLT)
(Photo by Jack Patrick on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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