*** Today’s readings (Joel & Obadiah) will be divided between today and tomorrow. Come back tomorrow to read through and reflect on Obadiah) ***
SCRIPTURE: Joel 1:1-3:21
A severe locust invasion devastates the land, the crops are destroyed.
Joel uses this tragedy to urge God’s missionary people to repent.
If they do, God will renew and restore them with His Spirit.
If they do not, they will face the judgment like everyone else, on the last day.
In a sense, this is a template for all of history, for all people, for you and me.
Life in this broken, messed up world contains many seasons of calamity.
Times of personal or community crisis are always times for humility and repentance.
God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Joel 2:13)
Those who sincerely repent, who truly hate injustice, greed, selfishness, cruelty, etc… will be forgiven.
Sin is serious business, it is unhealthy, hurtful and destructive – God hates it for good reason.
God cannot – God will not – bless those who delight in hating, hurting others.
Through Joel, the Lord is reminding us to sincerely repent:
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. (Colossians 3:5-6)
Through Joel, the Lord is inviting us into the life of the Spirit:
“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are not just looking for words, You want action. You want us to sincerely hate sin, like You do. Help us to not just fake repentance to get forgiveness; help us to mean it, and to live it!