April Beacon
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:13
The Prophet Joel’s ministry is set in Judah, sometime prior to the destruction of the temple in 586 B.C. An insect horde stripped the land of vegetation. The prophet called all of Israel to prayer and fasting. The locust invasion stimulated a grand vision of a yet-future “Day of the Lord.” God will bring foreign armies against His people. This vision of future judgment is the background for God’s urgent call to His people (’…return to me with all of your heart…’ 2:12).
The book of Joel concludes with a promise. A time is coming when God will pour out His Spirit on all peoples. He will judge pagan nations, He will bless His ancient land. Joel called Judah to repentance. The recent disaster was but a token of a more devastating judgment to come. The prophecy was also intended to comfort the godly with promises of future salvation and blessing. One day, the Savior would reign.
“The word of the LORD that came to Joel son of Pethuel. ’Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers?’” (vs. 1-2) ”Tell it to your children…” (v. 3) ”What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten…” (v. 4) ”Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; for it has been snatched from your lips.” (v. 5) ”Mourn like a virgin in sackcloth grieving for the husband of her youth.” (v. 
“Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar.” (v. 13) ”Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (v. 2:12)
I recently talked with a Jewish man. When I asked him about his faith, he explained to me that there are orthodox, conservative, and reformed Jews. I asked him where he fit in. He identified himself as conservative. I asked him what that meant for him. He said that he attended Temple two days a year (Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah). I asked how he believed that he would get to heaven. He did not give a clear answer, but spoke of how, ‘He is always watching, and how we need to be good.’
I wonder if that man’s ‘worldview’ represents many today. There was a need for God’s people to repent in Joel’s day. How great is the need for our day?
Joel 2:13 reads, “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” His people could have turned to Him in Joel’s day.
Will God’s people turn to Him today? Jesus came to earth, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. He is coming again for His people. Are you one of His and are you living for Him?
God is not satisfied with outward acts of repentance (tearing one’s garment). He wants a change of heart and sorrow over sin. As you remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, repent of your sin and yield your life to Him.
Pastor Lerud
March Beacon
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” II Timothy 4:5
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February Beacon
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
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January Beacon
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