Day of the Lord

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20151108
Day of the Lord

Return to the LORD your God, for the Day of the LORD is coming. The Prophet Joel warns of the literal day of the Locusts and also warns about the coming of Day of the LORD. The Day of the LORD appears to be something ominous, something that never was, nor ever will be in ages to come.

It will cause fear and anguish;
It will come charging, relentless, infiltrating everything and impacting everyone;
It will come when we least expect, like a thief entering through the windows.

Even the heaven and earth trembles and shakes, the sun and the stars no longer shine. As the LORD takes the head of this army against the people, His force and might, no one can fathom. With such a dreadful Day of the LORD that Prophet Joel is warning about, is there still hope? Thankfully, there can be a “return to the LORD” response by the people as they hear the LORD declaring His gracious and compassionate mercy. “Even now,” declares the LORD “return to me with all your heart”. Not just with appearances by rending garments, but in sincerity, rend your hearts and return to the LORD.

Prophet Joel continues to elaborate on the integrity of the needed repentance by the people. There should be a holy fast, where everybody should be gathered. Women nursing their children are to assemble; even the bride and bridegroom should leave their chamber as the priest intercedes for the people and ask for the LORD’s mercy.

How do we respond when we hear that the Day of the LORD is coming? There can be those who fear its coming and also those who need to repent and turn back to God. Are we genuine about the need to repent? Does it stop us in our tracks, disrupt our lives as we ask the LORD for His grace and mercy? On the other hand, for those of us who have been in close daily communion with God, the Day of the LORD need not fill us with dread just as Prophet Joel prophesied. God promises that those who believe in Him, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). We can then look forward to the Day of the LORD’s return with calm confidence because we will be with our heavenly Father forever and ever and ever ….