The Lord is God

Joel means “The Lord is God.” We don’t know a lot about Joel. He was a prophet and probably a priest. The book bearing his name reveals he was called to interpret the events happening in the nation of Judah. A plague of locusts had devoured every green thing, leaving nothing but desolation. The plague was no accident, God had sent them. But as devastating as the locust plague was, God’s impending judgment would be even more severe. Joel reminds the people that the Lord is God and that He is in control. Joel challenged the people to wake up and realize the consequences they would experience if they continued to rebel and disobey:

“The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?” Joel 2:11.

The message of Joel warns of God’s judgment of sin but also that God pours out His blessing to repentive hearts. Joel gave them hope if they humbled themselves, turn their hearts toward him, repenting from sin. Only then would God will heal them and their land:

“Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. 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. Who knows? He may return and have pity and leave behind a blessing - grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.” Joel 2:13-14.  

The people in Joel’s day are no different than the people living today; people are resistant to coming back to God. For some, they think it’s just too late for them; they wandered off track too far and it’s now too late to turn back. Some people just go through the motions; they change some outer aspect of themselves, but their heart is not genuinely seeking God’s heart. Other people think God is done with them; He has written them off and so they think they are beyond hope. God desperately wants to get our attention. He might use locust, or he might use some other unwelcomed method. Even so, His desire is for us to be close to Him and He wants to bless us: 

“His anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.  

God does a great work in our hearts and in our lives. He pours out His Spirit. He renews us, makes us healthy and whole: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.” Joel 2:25-27.