SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:28-32
OBSERVATIONS
1. (v.28) Joel reveals the ultimate goal of God’s plan, to pour out His Holy Spirit on all people. Sin separates us from the presence and power of God (Psalm 51:1-12, esp v.11). God’s purpose is to restore what we ruined, and to bring us al back into healthy and holy fellowship with Him in His world. This promise is fulfilled on Pentecost (the Jewish festival of harvest, see Acts 2:1-21).
APPLICATION: My greatest needs is for God’s Spirit. I can enjoy the fruit of the land, but unless I enjoy the fruit of the Spirit, all else will be empty and meaningless. As a member of Christ’s family, I have the Holy Spirit, but does the Holy Spirit have me, am I surrendered to Him?
2. (vv.28-29) Joel anticipates the full extent of God’s blessing on all people, young and old, male and female, Jew and non-Jew, wealthy and poor. No longer is the fullness of God’s Spirit restricted to a select few (prophets, priests, kings) but all people are anointed and empowered to serve as prophets, priests and kings.
APPLICATION: I am anointed, I have the Holy Spirit, the only thing that holds me back is my own unwillingness to keep in step with the Spirit. When I allow sinful attitudes and actions to control my life, I grieve and quench the Spirit of God Who lives in me.
3. Joel uses apocalyptic language (sun turned to darkness, moon to blood, etc.) as a way of expressing the global and cosmic significance of this event. As far as we know, these events did not occur on Pentecost, but in terms of cosmic significance, they might as well have, for the result was as dramatic.
APPLICATION: Though the world cannot see the things of the Spirit, they are real (1 Corinthians 2:14). Consider how the apparently insignificant gathering of disciples turned the whole world upside-down. Gamaliel was right, if this is from God, it cannot be stopped (Acts 5:34-39). If I believe, then the Lord can turn the world upside-down through me too.
PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that though You have poured out the wealth of Your Spirit on me, I live as a spiritual pauper, starving of the very gifts You have given to me. Open the eyes of my heart that I may see power and blessing You have granted me, even now. Amen.
A very fitting passage the day after Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out upon His people. Calling on the name of the Lord shows the desire to worship Him, depend upon Him, obey Him, live for him, serve Him. God does visit the sinful world in judgements today and also in the last day. Only those who have turned from their sinful ways to serve Christ will be saved on that last day. Thank You Lord for the gift of Your Spirit to encourage, to re-energize my living for You from day to day. You are my Source of Power. May I always be plugged in.
You are my strength when I am weak.
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all.
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool.
You are my all in all.