Topic: Hope In Misery [DCLM Daily Manna Monday January 15th, 2018]
Text: Joel 3:1-20
Key Verse: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.” (Joel 3:18).
At the time of Prophet Joel’s ministry, a deadly plague of locust took place in Judah, so grave that the Jews’ daily sacrifice had to be discontinued. The suspension of this age-long service partly meant the stoppage of the full worship of Jehovah. For such a discerning man of God as Joel, some more severe danger lay ahead. God revealed to him that the plague of locusts was a harbinger of the “day of the LORD”, when the people would be tormented by palpable darkness. “The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining” (verse 15).
The picture speaks of utter destruction, gloom and judgment from God. What was the cause? The people Judah experienced unprecedented prosperity that drew them into spiritual laxity and complacency. They went further into self-centredness and idolatry which disconnected them from Jehovah who would not look on without meting out appropriate chastisement as a good father should. Now, Joel said a bigger and more encompassing war would occur on the “day of the Lord”. It would be a conflict between God and the people who refuse to submit to Him or call on the name of the Lord for their salvation. And no one will be able to endure the calamity on that day.
The prophet also spoke about the restoration of God’s people and full Kingdom blessings for them. “But Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion” (Joel 3:20,21). Truly, escape from divine wrath and restoration to favour with Him happens when the sinner/backslider repents and asks for cleansing by the shed blood of Christ. Saved believers must commit themselves to preaching the gospel so sinners can escape divine wrath.
Thought For The Day: The door of mercy will be shut forever after the day of judgment.
Bible Reading in one Year: Job 40-42
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.