ESOCS Devotional 22 October
TEXT: JOEL 2:1-20 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons …” Hebrews 12:6-7
In Isaiah 2:12, we see that the Lord Almighty has a day in store for judgment of all the proud and lofty, and for all who have self-aggrandized themselves, and they will be humbled in His presence. In today’s context, the judgment of the Lord comes upon the people in the form of locusts spreading across the land as a great army of men. The prophet warned that it was a time to blow the trumpet (evangelize the land) in Zion and Jerusalem. The picture that Prophet Joel paints is that the land would be totally devastated by the blight, hence the call to repentance.
Understandably, living in sin is walking in darkness, and one controlled by sin is under the influence of the powers of darkness. But Christ came as the light of the world (John 8:12), to release people from darkness and the bondage of sin; and those who believe in Him must put off the deeds of darkness and become lights in this dark world (Matt. 5:14).
Because of God’s judgment, Joel instructed all the people (both young and old) to repent and return to the Lord (see also John 3:3-9). He called for a day of mourning and fasting, believing that the disaster would be averted (v 13). Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10b). So let’s walk in the light of His love.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
- Is there a sinner awaiting mercy and pardon today? Welcome the news that we bring you: Jesus is passing this way – today. Embrace Him for sanctification, justification, and regeneration.
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, I confess to thee sadly my sin. All I am tell I thee, all I have been. Purge thou my sins away; wash thou my soul this day, Lord, make me clean. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 19:21-37; 20:1-12; Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:1-12
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ESOCS Devotional 22 October
