In Joel 2, we see that God’s day of judgment is far greater than the army of locusts we saw in Chapter 1. That is why we should always be careful when calling down for God’s great judgment; when He comes in judgment, none of us will be good enough. We see good news today, though; as great as judgment is, God’s grace is great. God’s mercy comes running after us. He longs to forgive us. He loves us and desires to be in a relationship with us. When we turn from our sin and turn to His love, His mercy comes running!

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Good morning. It’s wonderful to be with you on this Wednesday morning as we continue our journey together through the book of Joel. I heard there was a bit of miscommunication with one of the links yesterday, and the video wasn’t quite right. So I hope my IT department, i.e. me, gets that fixed today. Hopefully, everything will work out well this morning. Today, we’re going to dive into Joel chapter 2. We’ll be reading verses 1 through 17. Chapter 2 is divided into two sections, so we’ll focus on the first section, which concludes at verse 17.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.”

This imagery paints a vivid picture of impending doom, describing an unstoppable force of destruction akin to a devastating army. The prophet contrasts this army with the earlier plague of locusts, suggesting that while the locusts were destructive, they pale in comparison to the judgment of God. This leads me to recall something Dr. Nick said in seminary, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the message of Joel. He often reminded us, “Let us cry out for mercy, not for judgment.” Dr. Nick cautioned against invoking God’s judgment, emphasizing the overwhelming power and righteousness of God’s judgment. In the face of such divine judgment, none can stand.

Continuing with Joel’s prophecy, we see a call to repentance and a plea for mercy. Verse 12 captures this beautifully: “Yet even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.” This call to genuine repentance emphasizes the importance of sincere contrition over outward displays of remorse. It reminds us of the gracious and merciful nature of God, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, always ready to relent from punishing.

Indeed, the heart of Joel’s message lies in the assurance of God’s boundless grace and mercy. Despite our failings and shortcomings, God’s love remains unfailing. As 1 John reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Each new day presents an opportunity for renewal and reconciliation with our Creator. It’s a chance to experience the depth of God’s love and forgiveness anew.

Reflecting on the broader narrative of Scripture, we’re reminded that the story doesn’t begin with the fall in Genesis 3; it begins with the beauty of creation in Genesis 1 and 2. Sin may have marred that perfection, but God’s grace surpasses all our transgressions. As the psalmist proclaims, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

In verse 17, we hear a plea for God’s mercy to spare His people from becoming a mockery among the nations. This plea underscores the reciprocal nature of our relationship with God—our repentance opens the door for His mercy and restoration. God longs to forgive, restore, and save us; all we need to do is turn to Him with contrite hearts.

Today, as we navigate life’s challenges and struggles, let’s remember the unfathomable depth of God’s love and mercy. No matter how broken or unworthy we may feel, His grace is more than sufficient. So, let’s embrace His forgiveness, walk in His love, and extend that same grace to others. As the old hymn goes, “Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.”

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you have a blessed rest of your day, and I look forward to continuing our exploration of Joel tomorrow. Take care!