Today’s Scripture: Joel 2:12, NKJV- ““Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
Day after day I am amazed and overwhelmed by the Word of God. The treasures that are found there just blow me away. In Celebrate Recovery, Joel reminds us that as we make our amends, God will replace those years we have lost. We are encouraged to turn all our hearts back to God and who He is. We are no longer who we were because of God. I am driven to continue to share the wonders and affirmations of God’s Word in line with Joel 1:2 which calls us to tell it to our children, and let our children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.
We all have stories to tell of what we have found when we returned our hearts to God. Sometimes we lose sight of our blessings and our God. Joel was written at a time when locusts and drought had devastated the land.
Interestingly, these people living in devastation were instructed to fast, weep, and mourn as it took everything they had to turn to God. We must look beyond calamity and look deep within our hearts. These people of Joel’s era were already starving yet called for a time of fasting. Turning their physical hunger to one of a heart hunger for the LORD.
The LORD did hear their prayers and promised to bring His people satisfaction. Do we find satisfaction in the things of this world, or do we find satisfaction when our hearts are turned to God? As Joel 2:21 states, we do not need to fear. We can be glad and rejoice because the LORD will do great things.
The land and hearts that have been barren will once again flourish. We can rejoice in the LORD for what He has given us. In Joel 2:25, God promised to replace the years the locusts had eaten. God is replacing our years too. We can praise the LORD for the wonders He has done for us just as these people in Joel 2:26. We can know that the LORD is with us.
We do live in a time prophesied in Joel 2:28 where God has poured out His Spirit upon us. Young and old can prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. We can freely turn our hearts and call on the name of the LORD and be thankful for Joel 2:32 “That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.” (NKJV)
We must fight for our hearts and the hearts of our young because there are many in this world who challenge us with asking “where is their God.” There was evil then and now fighting for our children. It is now time when we can call on the LORD and prepare for battle. As in Joel 3:10 we, the weak, can say “I am strong.” We can go to battle with our LORD.
As we turn our hearts to God, we join His army. As we receive His Spirit, we build stories that we can now share with the next generation of the power and wonders of our God. Will you turn your heart to God today?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the LORD our God. Thank You LORD for granting us Your provisions. Thank You LORD for pouring Your Spirit out among us. Fill our hearts with Your visions and dreams. Prepare us for battle LORD for Your children. Help us to continue to tell our stories and Your stories for the next generation so they too may know You are our LORD and savior. Use our hearts for Your glory. Amen.
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