September 21
Read Joel 1 - 3
In Today's Reading:
Plague of locusts; Joel's call to repentance; Day of the Lord; the Holy Spirit; restoration of Israel; judgment on nations
Joel warned of the impending destruction of Jerusalem. In mercy, the Word of the LORD . . . came to Joel . . . . Blow . . . the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain (Joel 1:1; 2:1). The trumpet was often used to announce solemn days and feasts, and by watchmen to warn of approaching danger (Numbers 10:1-10). But, the sins of the Israelites were an even more serious threat than that of the approaching enemy. Because of their sins, God could not bless them or protect them. The Day of the LORD comes . . . a great people. . . . nothing shall escape them. . . . Therefore also now, says the LORD, turn . . . to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning (Joel 2:1-12).
The one condition for forgiveness and acceptance by the Lord is genuine repentance. True repentance is threefold. First, it is a sorrow for one's sin against God, as well as against others; second, it is a turning to the Lord and asking His forgiveness for all sins; and third, it is forsaking sin to live a life pleasing to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter preached the prophetic meaning of Joel's words, saying: Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). He concluded his message by saying: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off (2:38-39). We are among those that are afar off.
The prophet Joel also foretold of the final Day of the LORD that is yet to take place: Alas for the day! for the Day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come (Joel 1:15). It will bring to a close the miserable rule of sinful mankind and finally usher in the glorious reign of Jesus Christ, the righteous King of Peace.
Jesus foretold there will come a time soon when all the tribes of the earth . . . shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28) - fulfilled (in part) on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-18).
Word Studies:
1:7 barked = broken, splintered; 1:12 languisheth = wastes away, dies; 1:16 meat = food; 1:17 garners = storehouses; 2:6 all faces shall gather blackness = their faces will turn pale with terror.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Ilene Wallace · Country: Slovenia (2 million) in southeastern Europe · Major languages: Slovenian and Serbo-Croatian · Freedom of religion · 81% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim
Prayer Suggestion: Let the Lord have all your worries and cares; He is always thinking about you and things that concern you ( I Peter 5:7).
Prayer Suggestion: Let the Lord have all your worries and cares; He is always thinking about you and things that concern you ( I Peter 5:7).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 14:9