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Are you repaying me for something I have done?… (Devo reflection)

Joel 3:4a “Now what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done?…”

I’ve got a lot of thoughts spinning through my head this morning. But what jumps out at me in verse 4a is this idea of repaying God for something He has done. He isn’t asking in a positive way, asking are you going to reward me for the good I’ve done for you?

Joel 3:7 “See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done.”

It’s a sobering question. God asks one thing of us for all the many, many, many things He’s done for us. He wants relationship with us. Part of that is praise. Part of it is acknowledgement. Part is seeking to know Him more, better. It’s not much to ask in repayment for daily, hourly blessings, but I’m sure I’m not living up to my end of the bargain.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes
in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

Precious Savior, Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Forgive me for being so caught up in my own mess that I don’t seek daily, hourly, to draw closer to You with thanks and praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

Joel 3:21 Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion!

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Even now…. (Devo reflection)

Joel 2:12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

This is one of those passages that really clarifies for me the mercy and compassion of the Lord. “Even now,” declares the Lord, “Even now, return to me and I’ll take you back. Even now. After everything.”

Joel 2:13a “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.

Compassion fatigue is something I struggle with this time of year, especially. I feel like I’ve given so much for so long, and I’m just tired. But God says, after everything, “Even now….”

Joel 2:19 The Lord replied to them: “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.

Lord, Thank You for Your amazing love and compassion. Thank You that You are bigger than compassion fatigue. Be with me as I struggle. Help me to love others with Your love, mercy, and compassion. Amen.

Joel 2:23 Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

Have a blessed day.

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First and always…. (devo reflection)

Joel 1:7 It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white.

Today’s chapter brought to mind versions of church signs I’ve seen that have always bothered me. The first is: When all else fails, pray. The second is: When all else fails, read the instructions (meaning the Bible). I’ve always wondered why in the world anyone would wait until all else has failed to do either.

Joel 1:12 The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree—all the trees of the field—are dried up. Surely the people’s joy is withered away.

Joel 1 seems to provide a little bit of an answer: humans are proud. We like to be self-sufficient, often to the point of absurdity. When we get stuck in self-reliance mode, it often takes huge, uncontrollable things for us to realize that God didn’t intend for us to shoulder it all. He is our strength, our very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1), but we have to turn to Him, to invite Him into our struggle.

Joel 1:19 To you, Lord, I call, for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.

Lord, Thank You for allowing me to choose You. Forgive me for all those times I let pride and self-reliance get in the way. Help me to turn to You first and always, no matter the situation. Help me never to forget that You are my strength. Draw me closer to You. Amen.

Joel 1:20 Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness.

Have a blessed day.