Make a U-Turn - Joel 2:12--27

The chapter and a half prior to this passage in Joel describes how the land of the Israelites, God's chosen people, has been laid waste from the "army" of locusts God sent to destroy the land. The Lord reassures the people that this is nothing compared to the judgement that they are facing because they already stand condemned. Then comes this word. A word from the Lord that says even though you don't deserve it, if you return to me I will heal your land and I will take you as my people again. Drop what you're doing, He says, and repent.

Sometimes the storms in life come as a result of our flagrant disobedience to the Lord. Thankfully, the Lord is patient and kind, slow to anger and quick in mercy. Turn your heart back toward the Lord today if you find yourself far from him, for his is full of grace and mercy.

Joel 2:12-27
12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."13 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.14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'

18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.19 The LORD will reply [a] to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations. 20 "I will drive the northern army far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land, with its front columns going into the eastern sea [b] and those in the rear into the western sea. [c] And its stench will go up; its smell will rise." Surely he has done great things. [d]21 Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things.22 Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.23 Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. [e] He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.25 "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 [f]— my great army that I sent among you.26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.

Questions
1. What do you like in this passage?
2. What is difficult about this passage?
3. What did you learn about God?
4. What is He leading you to do?
5. What part will you take with you and think about today?

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