Joel 3 - 03.05.26

SCRIPTURE

““Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.

“In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water.

A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

When you’re in a Crisis you will hear all kinds of voices with many opinions telling you what is going on and what you should do about it.

The short 3-Chapter Book of Joel speaks of “The Day of The Lord” applying the term to a past event a Future event AND The Return Of Jesus.

A devastating Locust plague had invaded the nation of Israel causing an immediate economic catastrophe. Joel’s words regarding this plague were meant to alert everyone that God allowed this occurrence as a warning.

“When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?”

‭‭(Amos‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Joel Warns:

To all who live in the Land: “Hear this”

To the Drunkards: “Wake Up”

To the Farmers: “Despair and Wail”

To the Priests: “CALL a Fast”

Now that Joel had their attention in prayer and Fasting…there was an additional concern. Stop looking behind and start looking ahead to what the Locust plague represented. While not everyone agrees with the symbology in Joel, It is believed that God was issuing a warning for the time the Assyrians would ravage Judah and take them into captivity as punishment for their sins.

Joel also speaks of another great and terrible “Day of the Lord” —

A Day—Yet to Come.

The Final Day of The Lord—when a Final battle will be fought in Zion.

There will be Great Victory for those who Know Jesus and Great sorrow for those who do not.

“There I, the Lord, will sit to pronounce judgment on them all.

Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.

Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full.

The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people.” Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.

There the Day of the Lord will soon arrive.

The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem,

and the heavens and the earth will shake.

But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,

a strong fortress for the people of Israel.”

‭‭(Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬, ‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

APPLICATION

Tear Your Hearts for God

“That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me NOW—while there is time.

Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the Lord your God, for HE is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

HE is eager to relent and not punish.”

‭‭(Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13 NLT‬‬)

Joel’s response to God’s warning—was to CALL a Fast.

Joel CALLED  for a Solemn assembly to COME-NOW.

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief”

Joel called for a Solemn assembly to Mourn and genuinely grieve over the sins of the land. During the mourning period it is customary for Jews to rip a piece of their clothing to demonstrate their grief. They will wear this same piece of clothing throughout the seven day Shiva period. Today, in lieu of ripping clothing, very often you will see Jewish families simply safety pin a piece of torn cloth to their new clothing lapels.

Coming to God in Prayer and Intercession is serious.

Coming to God in His WORD is to be taken seriously with a prepared heart.

God doesn’t want me to “safety pin” a piece of torn cloth on my lapel so I can give an appearance of doing the “right thing”.

God wants and deserves my heart—my whole heart.

If I can’t rend my heart before God-then what does my time Before God mean?

The question is always asked…If you knew Jesus was coming back Tomorrow how would you live your life Today?

Make that Call.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Forgive me for times I am skimming through Your Word and checking off a box. I ask YOU to set my heart on Fire..but I haven’t fully given YOU my deepest attention as in a fasting season. I want more of YOU and YOU tell us we CAN Have as Much Of YOU as we Desire. We must Come…seeking You…and YOU Promise we will Not be disappointed. YOU say COME. With undistracted hearts. COME. Ready to Receive. COME. To Your Feet. COME.

Here I am. Break me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka