Joel 2:23-32
23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil...
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed...
28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed...
28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days...
After the dark days of Jeremiah's prophecy, and the exile of the people of Judah into Babylon, Joel's words were a powerful sign of a long-awaited hope.
The message is simple, and so important: no matter what, God's faithfulness will not fail.
Sometimes, we have to wonder.
This year's drought in Georgia and throughout the Southeast has been amazing, and at times just plain hair-raising.
As the controversy about the Lake Lanier water supply has played out in the news, it's been sobering to hear some of the statements made by our leaders.
One estimate puts the North Georgia water supply at about 80 days under current conditions.
I don't know all the details of how that estimate is made, and the idea that we could one day see the taps in our homes refuse to respond seems like fantasy.
But that possibility is quite a reminder of how dependent and vulnerable we all really are.
For all of our intelligence, technology and progress...we can't make our own rain.
God is the giver of all good gifts, and Joel's prophecy is an especially relevant reminder for us this year.
...The autumn rains that come in righteousness...and vats that overflow with abundant produce...
In the same way, God promises to flow out his Spirit on his people...and we can trust that his vision will lead us, without fail, just as surely as the rain will sustain.
Prayer: Father God, we depend on you for life, and for all things. This year our world has been dry, but we remember your promise that you will always send the rain that sustains life. May we live today with the peace that comes from knowing you're in control.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
Tomorrow's Scripture: Psalm 65:1-8
2 comments:
I actually shared some of your same thoughts with one of my grandchildren last week. He was concerned about the drought and I assured him that we did not need to worry; we needed to be aware of and be careful but God always has and always will provide our needs.
Thank you, Lord, for your overwhelming love.
Interestingly enough, our ministry here at West Georgia is just about to begin a series on God's faithfulness based out of the book of Hosea. I had read the book before, but going through it again has revealed all sorts of interesting God-bits on faithfulness. In this book, of course, its more about how God is faithful despite our unfaithfulness; likening us to the prostitute Gomer. Its sobering gaining that kind of insight into our own behavior. But, at the same time, it is gratifying to gain that kind of insight into His.
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