JOEL
This day = last day
Joel was most likely a prophet to Judah who brought a message from God to the southern tribes of Israel. As with most prophets His message is to the point and contains three overarching themes: a reminder that they were God’s chosen people, a harsh reality check on their sin a call to repentance and a reminder of God’s never-ending love for them.
The image God gives to Joel in regard to the consequences of their sin was locusts. That just like when locusts swarm the leave the land barren… because of sin life becomes barren. Chapter 1 and the first half of chapter 2 describe the scene: “Stripped off bark from trees leaving them white and barren”, “fields destroyed”, “gladness dried up”, and a “desolate wilderness”.
Have you lived through a day in which you could not imagine how you were ever going to make it through? Like it was your last day here on earth? Where everywhere you turned it seemed like life was hopeless? A day in which you didn’t care if it was day or night… and if it were your last day – that would be fine with you … well you’re not alone:
Joel 2:9-10 – “they leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into houses, they enter through the windows like a thief. The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining…”
So what does the Lord want us to hear through this book? First, breakthrough is often positioned at the brink of our darkest moments. Second this day is a last day and in the last days things are different;
· what comes after is better than what is now,
· loosing is gaining,
· there are signs that make you wonder
· and what is considered ‘common’ is a weapon in the hands of God (3:10)… anything is possible.
In the last days:
- After is better than before
- – 2:14 – “Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him…”
In the last days blessings will come after God’s involvement – not before. Yet there is something in man that wants the answers “before” we seek God. The world asks for things on the front end – guarantees of success. The world seeks process so as to have an assurance that a result will be favorable. Systems are established that are supposed to give peace and security. Yet in the last days – it is necessary to go through in order to get behind.
In the kingdom we are not given results on the ‘front end’: “Who knows…” – in other words, “It’s at least worth a shot”. The idea is that even if we live life with a humble and contrite spirit, one that is slow to anger and quick to listen, that returns to God with all our heart… there are still no guarantees of victory as we embark on the adventure.
I think the idea is that God has given us enough to base our decisions upon… there is no need for “more revelation” – it’s simply of positioning ourselves behind God and saying… “you lead – I’ll follow”. The ‘breakthrough’ is getting through the mind-set that says, “This is foolish… this does not make any sense…” when we overcome that we position ourselves ‘behind’ God. God speaks to us in this last day… “Am I enough? Even if you loose everything, will you be satisfied with Me?”
- Loosing is gaining – “I will restore the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer and the cutter…” 2:25
What have you lost in you life? Time, favor, honor, authority, relationships… Contingent on your answer to “Whether or not God is enough?” Is the restoration of things that have been taken. In Christ, time does not exist – therefore what we see as ‘gone forever’ Christ has access to… the question is, “Do you really want it?” A typical question with this verse is, “So you mean the relationship I lost 11 years ago will be restored?” Well… possibly… the answer is found in the verse… “they have been eaten”
How many of you want a regurgitated relationship? Yeah… didn’t think so…
In a supernatural exchange God will provide ‘crops’ that make up for those that have been lost. Imagine the production God is capable of? The importance is not on “getting back” what has been taken away – it’s “receiving” what is ahead.
One thought on “restoration”: “Restoration” is taking something and making it more like the original. If I ‘restore’ a dresser, I am not creating something from scratch – I am ‘reconditioning’ it to represent what it looked like in its original design. So in ‘restoring’ the years, God is also capable of making our living more like His original design.
- There are signs that make you wonder – 2:28 – “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens…”
How many of you here are a son or a daughter? How many of you are old or young? In these days God will pour out His spirit on all of us. WHY? To bring the kingdom of God to earth so that many shall believe in the Son of God – Jesus Christ.
This outpouring is recorded in Acts chapter 2 and subsequent “fillings” of the Spirit to; heal, cast out demons, perform miracles (raise the dead), speak in tongues. You could say the signs that happened after the outpouring of the Spirit made people wonder.
According to John 3:3-8 being filled with the Spirit is something that cannot be removed; however, to the level with which you are willing to be filled is the level to which God will fill you:
The Spirit of God is like an inheritance. If you are an heir your inheritance is secure (it’s yours) – however, what you choose to do with the “inheritance” is up to you. As I yield to the Spirit in my life through obedience I am increasingly “filled” with God’s power to bring the kingdom of God to earth… how? Through prophesy, dreams and visions.
- I can quench the Spirit by:
· deceitful lusts
· lying
· unforgiving anger
· stealing
· corrupt words
· bitterness
· wrath
· clamor (screaming)
· evil speaking
· malice (meanness
The bible contains many instances of God performing “earthly” miracles through individuals who were “filled” with the Spirit of God.
The specific gifting mentioned here is prophesy – the anointing of God’s Spirit by dreams and visions to edify the body of Christ. Prophets speak God’s word with power and authority to turn the hearts of the people to God. One of the elements of the prophetic is an anointing for miracles; casting out evil spirits, healing the lame for the ‘joy’ of the city. (Acts 8:5-8) The goal again is to gather people into the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14:31 – “For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and be encouraged.”
How willing are you to speak the word boldly? That is the amount you will be filled. It’s sort of like washing your car… if I do not open the sprayer the water is contained within the hose – I have limited the output. When I choose to press the handle – the water flows out and continues to flow as long as I am willing to hold the handle down.
- Common is rare – 3:10 – “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior. (lit. “let the timid man become a hero”)”
In the last days, a battle will ensue between those in the kingdom of God and those in the kingdom of Satan. The days of ‘watching the crops grow’ will come to an end. Isaiah speaks to a time of peace in which the sword is beaten into a plowshare and pruning hooks into sickles. In the last days there will be war. The ultimate point of that was is in the Valley of Jehosaphat… Armageddon.
The event described here plainly indicate that the judgment mentioned in this chapter will take place in the form of divine warfare against Israel’s enemies. What is common will be used as a weapon in the hand of God’s army.
A component of the battle is a soldier’s willingness to engage in the war. How willing are you to engage in battle? What if this were your last day? One day it will be. As I live more days I am beginning to recognize the truths about
· After is better than before.
· Loosing is gaining.
· Signs will make me wonder.
· Common is special.
Personally, I have found that if my focus is directed on “THIS DAY” and not “THAT DAY” these truths don’t make sense.
So today - live like it is your last because in reality it is.
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