The Day of the Lord Pt 2: The Valley of Decision
The Day of the Lord Pt 2: The Time of Decision
Joel 3:9-21
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
The Day of the Lord culminates in the final judgment of humanity. In verse 14, the Day of the Lord is referred to as the “valley of decision.” However, this is not the decision of man to accept or reject God; instead, this is the decision of the Lord regarding people's judgment. Christ predicts this coming judgment upon all humanity in Matthew 24-25, in which Christ returns and will judge all people and nations (see also Revelation 20:11-14). This judgment will be a time when Christ pronounces his verdict. He is the judge now making the decision. For those who rejected God’s salvation, it will be a time of terror as the “Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble.”
However, on this day of judgment, there is also rejoicing. For those who reject God, this day will be one in which God will be their judge and prosecutor. Yet for those who by faith accepted him and placed their complete trust in him, God will be their advocate and redeemer. Instead of a judge who incites terror, he will be. Refuge and a stronghold. It speaks of a place where one finds protection from any danger or threat. It is where one goes when fear strikes, and the fears are abated because the threat is no longer present. This is further highlighted in the following phrase that God is a stronghold for his people. This has the picture of a sternly fortified defensive or military structure unassailable by the enemy. No matter how many enemies may encircle them, they are secure because they are in a fortress that no one can overcome. This is an apt picture of God. Our security is not found in the things of this world but in the person of God. The point is that the person who has placed their trust in God has nothing to fear when God’s judgment is poured out, for God not only will not judge them, but he becomes their protector so that nothing can harm them.
Billy Graham, for many years, had a radio program entitled “hour of decision” in which he confronted people with the necessity of making a decision. The hour of our decision determines our destiny in the valley of decision. How we respond to God today will decide whether or not he is our judge or protector, our terror or our comfort, our hope or our fear. Today we are confronted with either embracing God and accepting his salvation and living by his word or rejecting him and pursuing headlong after our desires and will. This decision today will determine the Lord’s judgment on that final day. The offer of his salvation involves a simple expression of faith that we ask God to forgive our sins and surrender our will to his. What will we decide today?
Joel 3:9-21
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
The Day of the Lord culminates in the final judgment of humanity. In verse 14, the Day of the Lord is referred to as the “valley of decision.” However, this is not the decision of man to accept or reject God; instead, this is the decision of the Lord regarding people's judgment. Christ predicts this coming judgment upon all humanity in Matthew 24-25, in which Christ returns and will judge all people and nations (see also Revelation 20:11-14). This judgment will be a time when Christ pronounces his verdict. He is the judge now making the decision. For those who rejected God’s salvation, it will be a time of terror as the “Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble.”
However, on this day of judgment, there is also rejoicing. For those who reject God, this day will be one in which God will be their judge and prosecutor. Yet for those who by faith accepted him and placed their complete trust in him, God will be their advocate and redeemer. Instead of a judge who incites terror, he will be. Refuge and a stronghold. It speaks of a place where one finds protection from any danger or threat. It is where one goes when fear strikes, and the fears are abated because the threat is no longer present. This is further highlighted in the following phrase that God is a stronghold for his people. This has the picture of a sternly fortified defensive or military structure unassailable by the enemy. No matter how many enemies may encircle them, they are secure because they are in a fortress that no one can overcome. This is an apt picture of God. Our security is not found in the things of this world but in the person of God. The point is that the person who has placed their trust in God has nothing to fear when God’s judgment is poured out, for God not only will not judge them, but he becomes their protector so that nothing can harm them.
Billy Graham, for many years, had a radio program entitled “hour of decision” in which he confronted people with the necessity of making a decision. The hour of our decision determines our destiny in the valley of decision. How we respond to God today will decide whether or not he is our judge or protector, our terror or our comfort, our hope or our fear. Today we are confronted with either embracing God and accepting his salvation and living by his word or rejecting him and pursuing headlong after our desires and will. This decision today will determine the Lord’s judgment on that final day. The offer of his salvation involves a simple expression of faith that we ask God to forgive our sins and surrender our will to his. What will we decide today?
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
May
Finding BalanceThe Folly of AllObeying Those in LeadershipWhen Injustice ReignsKeeping Perspective in an Upredictable WorldFinding Success in the World of VanityThe Value of Wisdom in the Struggles of LifeThe Danger of Foolish ThinkingTrusting in God's Unseen HandEnjoy the MomentAct before it is too late.The Geneology of Christ: A Testimony of God’s Grace and SovereigntyChrist the KingThe Authority of Christ
June
The Compassion of ChristThe God who cares for us.The Power of JesusThe ServantChrist the JudgeThe Compassion of ChristScandalous GraceThe Power of Christ Over DeathWho Is Jesus?The Majestic KingThe TIming of GodThe Value of NothingThe Basis for Security in LifeThe Joy of The FatherThe Grace of JesusThe Divine WordThe Greatest Prayer
Categories
no categories
No Comments