A message for today's world

Reading: Joel 2

Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!

Perhaps that's how we would word it today. The prophet Joel was warning his homeland of impending danger. God's Judgment was approaching, and it wasn't gonna be pretty. The first 11 verses detail a doom that makes a nuclear wasteland look like a spring day in the Alps. "A black day! A Doomsday! Clouds with no silver lining! Like dawn light moving over the mountains, a huge army is coming."

Joel 2:2, The Message

But this was meant for Israel, right? I'm not so sure. In the previous chapter, Joel tells Israel (and us) that there are no offerings in the house of God. "And also you priests, put on your robes and join the outcry. You who lead people in worship, lead them in lament. Spend the night dressed in gunnysacks, you servants of my God. Nothing's going on in the place of worship, no offerings, no prayers--nothing."

Joel 1:13, The Message

Is there anything going on in our places of worship? Is the attendance in our churches going up or down? Are those in attendance in touch with God? Are we following true teachers or false teachers?

What, then, shall we do? "Blow the ram's horn trumpet in Zion! Trumpet the alarm on my holy mountain! Shake the country up! GOD's Judgment's on its way--the Day's almost here!"

Joel 2:1, The Message

I like the way The Message says it, "Shake the country up!" The other versions say, "Let everyone tremble in fear," as if nothing can be done. The situation can be fixed, and we are called to do it.

Verse 13 and 14 say, "Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, this most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your GOD!"

Joel 2:13-14, The Message

Revival in the nation will cancel catastrophe. Through prayer and conviction, we can guide this country back to God. There is a lot going on in America today. Many people out there who believe Christians are self-righteous holy rollers whose only goal is to beat others over the heads with their bibles. We are called to be different than that. We are called to be humble and loving, bringing people to people by love not rebuke.

I ask each of you reading this to go into the world and face your co-workers, neighbors, friends and family in the name of Christ. Loving them for who they are, not who you want them to be. Show them the Christ that Christ showed the prostitutes, drunkards and thieves of His day. He went into their world. He did not demand that they come to Him. We are each called to do the same.

Everybody you encounter will experience God's love, not his wrath. And that's how Christ wants it to be. Once we experience His love, we want to keep it. And we can only keep it by giving it away. That love convicts us to follow His ways. Without that love, we have no desire to please God. And so it comes around. To avoid God's judgment on a wicked generation, we must love that generation with God's love.

And the promise God gave to Joel: "What a day! Wine streaming off the mountains, Milk rivering out of the hills, water flowing everywhere in Judah, A fountain pouring out of GOD's Sanctuary, watering all the parks and gardens!"

Joel3:18, The Message

Prayer:

Almighty Heavenly Father, be with us. Your boundless love has conquered us and shown us the true way to Your light. Help us to share that love with those who do not know You. Your love is gentle yet firm, reminding us of your presence, and correcting our mistakes. We do not know Your wrath, except as we have read it in Your Word. We do not want to know Your wrath, nor do we want it to fall upon those whom we love.

Forgive us, O Lord, for failing to love others as You have commanded. Teach us to love and not rebuke those who do not know You. Show us how to shepherd our neighbors and friends and others we meet into Your flock.

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your forgiveness.

In Jesus Holy Name we pray,
Amen.