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God’s Voice in a Disaster (Pandemic)
Joel 1:1-12; 2:12-17
A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON JOEL AND THE BOOK OF JOEL BY CHARLES SWINDOLL
The Book of Joel in the Bible is one of the 12 Minor Prophet books. We know little of the prophet Joel beyond a few personal details contained in the book itself. He introduces himself as the son of Pethual, who preached to the people of Judah (southern kingdom of Israel), and expresses a great deal of interest in Jerusalem. He makes several comments about the priests and the temple, indicating a familiarity with the center of worship in Judah.
The timing of the writing of the Book of Joel is around 835 BC. This would make Joel one of the earliest writing prophets, as well as a contemporary of the prophet Elisha. The book focuses its prophetic judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah. Using what was at that time the well- known locust plague in Judah, Joel capitalized on a recent tragedy to dispense the Lord’s message of judgment and the hope of repentance. In referring to the terrible plague, Joel was able to speak into the lives of his listeners and imprint the message of judgment into their minds.
THIS LEADS US INTO OUR PASSAGE FOR TODAY
There was a “pandemic” in Judah at this time. There was an invasion of locusts that attacked Judah. Joel as a prophet of God was led by the Lord to give a message to the people and leaders of Judah. It appears that nearly all of God’s people had forgotten to love and obey Him. Therefore, God allows bad things to happen. There is no rain (vs. 1:20). and the plants do not grow well, and insects come to eat them (vs. 1:4).
Joel tells the people to think about these bad things (vss. 1:2-13, 15-20). He tells the people to change their attitude towards God (vss. 1:14; 2:12-17). He tells them that they should love and obey God again as they did before. If they do this, then God will do good things for them (vss. 2:18-20, 32).
Joel tells the leaders and people of Judah that they need to do a ‘heart check’ and REPENT (vss. 2:12-17).
- Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate.
- Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing.
- Declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Bring together the elders and gather the children.
- Let God’s leaders minister to the Lord in a group setting.
- Ask God for mercy and compassion as you repent.
- Get right with God and turn back to God.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION
Did anyone else say WOW with me. How applicable is this occurrence in history to us today? Did God allow the Covid-19 pandemic to happen to us in 2020? Is the world not acknowledging His presence? Is His Church forgotten to love Him and obey Him? Do we need to get on our knees to repent and ask for His mercy?
PERSONAL INSIGHT & REFLECTIONS
I have learned so much during this Covid-19 pandemic about God, myself, my relationship with God, my prayer life, my relationship with others, and our Christian responsibility to others (both believers & unbelievers). One of the things that I have learned is that each one of us is dealing with this pandemic differently. He has taught me to be more patient with others and how they are dealing with this crisis. Each person has their own SAFE level and I am being taught to respect each person’s decisions to progress through this pandemic. Until a person feels SAFE in their own hearts and minds, they will not move forward to the next level through this ordeal.
As we continue to minister to our church family during this time of ‘Reopening The Church Building For Ministry Use”, we have to be patient with each person as they are dealing with this SAFE issue in their own lives individually. We need to practice the message given to us through Paul in
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Romans 14:19-21 (NIV). “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”[/perfectpullquote]
Today’s devotional application is not about food, but it is about allowing each person to deal with their personal SAFE position. Respect their position and encourage them in love for the glory of God.
Thanks for reading.
Blessings from Carlton Ringer
