The Coming Day of the Lord
The Grace and Justice of God
Joel 1-3
“The Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and earth tremble. But the Lord is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” 3:16-17.
The Day of the Lord has always posed a challenge for the student of the Bible. It speaks of a time when God will pour out the devastation of His judgment, as well as a time of salvation for His people. It is a day of terror and a day of hope. The Day of the Lord encompasses events in the past as well as those still to come. Joel begins with the pronouncement of God’s coming judgment upon the nation of Israel. In 1:1-2:17, the message is similar to that of the other prophets, a pronouncement of coming judgment upon the nation for its sins. Throughout the prophets, we find warnings of God’s impending judgment because of the people’s sins. For God to leave sin unpunished would mean that He is a God who tolerates sin. To allow sin to go unpunished is to give tacit approval of it. God is righteous and pure, and He cannot allow sin to remain without justice. In 1:4, we see the severity and completeness of God’s judgment. To fall under the hand of God’s judgment is to face unrelenting terror as God pours out His wrath. This judgment is unrelenting and complete. However, the warning of judgment is not just a pronouncement but a call to repentance. God is just and will judge sin, but He also offers His grace and forgiveness if we are willing to turn to Him. This repentance must be genuine and complete. It involves the willingness to change at the very depths of our soul.
The Day of the Lord is not just a pronouncement of judgment but also a pronouncement of salvation. For those who seek Him, it is a time when He will pour out His Spirit upon them. This found its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. God not only calls us to live a life of righteousness but also provides His Spirit to empower us to live for him. When we seek Him, God strengthens and protects us. God is not indifferent to our condition or struggles but is actively engaged in our lives. He is our refuge, a powerful fortress that protects and watches over us (3:14-17). Therefore, we do not need to be afraid of the circumstances around us. It is easy to lose sight of God and to start to focus upon the circumstances or uncertainty of our day, whether it be the uncertainty of the world events, or the uncertainty of our own personal life. With God, there is no uncertainty, nothing unknown, and no circumstance beyond His ability to guard and protect us so that we enter into His kingdom through His salvation. Therefore, we no longer need to be fearful of any circumstance we will face (2:21).
As we look at the circumstances of the world, or the circumstances in our own lives, we can rest in the fact that God is in control and he has ordered the days and circumstances to accomplish his eternal purpose. Therefore, we can rest in the security of God’s control. When life seems overwhelming, remember that God has given us His promise of a coming day when He will restore all things back to Him.
Joel 1-3
“The Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and earth tremble. But the Lord is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” 3:16-17.
The Day of the Lord has always posed a challenge for the student of the Bible. It speaks of a time when God will pour out the devastation of His judgment, as well as a time of salvation for His people. It is a day of terror and a day of hope. The Day of the Lord encompasses events in the past as well as those still to come. Joel begins with the pronouncement of God’s coming judgment upon the nation of Israel. In 1:1-2:17, the message is similar to that of the other prophets, a pronouncement of coming judgment upon the nation for its sins. Throughout the prophets, we find warnings of God’s impending judgment because of the people’s sins. For God to leave sin unpunished would mean that He is a God who tolerates sin. To allow sin to go unpunished is to give tacit approval of it. God is righteous and pure, and He cannot allow sin to remain without justice. In 1:4, we see the severity and completeness of God’s judgment. To fall under the hand of God’s judgment is to face unrelenting terror as God pours out His wrath. This judgment is unrelenting and complete. However, the warning of judgment is not just a pronouncement but a call to repentance. God is just and will judge sin, but He also offers His grace and forgiveness if we are willing to turn to Him. This repentance must be genuine and complete. It involves the willingness to change at the very depths of our soul.
The Day of the Lord is not just a pronouncement of judgment but also a pronouncement of salvation. For those who seek Him, it is a time when He will pour out His Spirit upon them. This found its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. God not only calls us to live a life of righteousness but also provides His Spirit to empower us to live for him. When we seek Him, God strengthens and protects us. God is not indifferent to our condition or struggles but is actively engaged in our lives. He is our refuge, a powerful fortress that protects and watches over us (3:14-17). Therefore, we do not need to be afraid of the circumstances around us. It is easy to lose sight of God and to start to focus upon the circumstances or uncertainty of our day, whether it be the uncertainty of the world events, or the uncertainty of our own personal life. With God, there is no uncertainty, nothing unknown, and no circumstance beyond His ability to guard and protect us so that we enter into His kingdom through His salvation. Therefore, we no longer need to be fearful of any circumstance we will face (2:21).
As we look at the circumstances of the world, or the circumstances in our own lives, we can rest in the fact that God is in control and he has ordered the days and circumstances to accomplish his eternal purpose. Therefore, we can rest in the security of God’s control. When life seems overwhelming, remember that God has given us His promise of a coming day when He will restore all things back to Him.
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2026
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February
The Divine InvitationThe Audacity of Man and the Supremacy of GodWhat is your attitude towards church?When God is AfflictedAn Accident or Divine DesignWhere do we turn for truth?Listening to the Right VoiceThe Challenge of Self-AssessmentFollowing the Right LeadersHope in Dark TimesThe Greatest Hope in a Time of Darkness
June
Certainty in an Uncertain WorldSinging a Song of PraiseSeeing God in the Challenges of LifeWhen theStorm Clouds are BuildingListening to the Right MessageThe God of Grace and JusticeBecoming Tolerant of SinTrusting in God for our SecurityListening to the Right VoicesGod's Transforming PowerGod's Eternal PresenceThe One who Controls the Nations
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
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