Today’s Readings:
Psalm 104:2-34, 35b;
Joel 2:18-29;
Romans 8:18-24
Then the LORD was jealous for His land and took pity on his people. 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. I will drive the northern horde far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land; its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea, and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea. And its stench will go up; it's smell will rise.” Surely, he has done great things! Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things! Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruits; the fig trees and the vine yield their riches. 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; the threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.” (Joel 2:18-29)
Joel’s prophecies have been on judgement of God on Judah because of the sin of the people. But Today’s Reading on prophecy of restoration brings encouragement of hope to the people. When believers genuinely repent, the people and the land would be healed and restored. The theme of sin and restoration is seen through the Scripture (Gen. 3:13-24; Lev. 26:3-4). Sin is always social in nature and influence and it is never in isolation (vv. 18-25).
Restoration cannot come without genuine repentance. Making a U-Turn to do the will and commands of God. Living as God wanted us to. Try as much as possible by the help of the Holy Ghost to forsake our sinful ways. The prophecy of God’s judgement brings despair and fear while the promises of forgiveness gives encouragement to repent and gives continuous joy and praises to God (v. 18). In verse 23, we are asked to rejoice always in the Lord because he is ever faithful and has done great things for us, our family, the Church and the nation. He always fulfils his promises though we may not see this because we are overwhelmed by other pressing needs, we want him to fulfil at all cost. Joy is one of the most powerful weapons believers have against the enemy. The enemy has evil intentions to steal, to kill and to destroy, but there is a great weapon in the hands of believers to thwart the wicked plans of the enemy for us. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. In all things the devil seeks for us to be downcast and depressed because he knows if we lose our joy; we lose our strength, and this will give access for him into our lives to oppress and steal our joy and to paralyse us. However, in our joys in the Lord, he wants to lift our spirits up, encourage us and strengthen us (Neh. 8:10).
In whatever situation and circumstances, we are to continuously rejoice in the Lord (1Thes. 5:16). Believing in God, in his promises, his concerns for us, his desire for us to have joy in life, all releases untold joy in our lives. Through our ignorance of the word and will of God for us and proper spiritual knowledge, the enemy robs us of so many things, including our victory in Jesus Christ (Hosea4:6). Through joy in the Lord we are strengthened, encouraged, and we receive wisdom to do all things.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; that walks in his ways.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good for His mercy endures forever.
I will praise thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
God I will not fear, I will be glad and rejoice; for You have done great things in my life, in my family, in Your Church and in our nation, in Jesus name.
Father, grant that Your kingdom come, and may Your reign begin in me, in my family, in my environment and in the world at large. Break with Your iron rod, the tyrannies of sin, in Jesus name.
Lord fill the inside of me with Your joy and strengthen me to do Your will, in Jesus name.
Father, grant that I may forgive those who offend me, forgive in love, in Jesus name.
I plead the blood of Jesus over my body, soul, and spirit, in Jesus name.
Lord grant the body of Christ Your love to proclaim the Gospel of truth, in Jesus name.
Father Lord let there be love, peace and joy in our nation and in the lives of men in Jesus name.
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