ESOCS Devotional 24 May 2026 – Repentance Paves Way to Restoration
MEMORY VERSE: “And it will come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance as the Lord has said, even among the remnant whom the Lord will call.” Joel 2:32 IKJV
TEXT: JOEL 2:28-32
“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the Lord has said,
Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.
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Repentance paves way to restoration, as we see in Luke 15:17-23. When the prodigal son finally realized the depths to which he had gone in wayward living, he humbled himself, and returned to his father, who straightway forgave, and restored him, (2 Samuel 12:33, Psalms 51:4-12). In our text, following the people’s penitent repentance, and return to the ways of the Lord, Joel envisioned a total restoration. This would banish the swarming locusts, send again seasons of rain, and replenish food supplies. Through this, the people would know that the Lord God of Israel is the Almighty controller of the entire universe.
The prophet went ahead to prophesy, an even greater restoration in the more distant future. This will manifest in the form of a spiritual renewal for everyone, through God’s Spirit. It will also bring about the emergence of the final destruction of God’s enemies, and the beginning of God’s eternal Kingdom reign.
The prophecies in our text are very significant in reference to the work of the Holy Spirit in the coming ages, at the end of National Israel. It is a foundation upon which the activity of the Holy Spirit in the Church (New Jerusalem) would be defined. In Acts 2:16-17, Peter quoted this foretelling, and made direct application of it to the Pentecost events of Acts 2:1-4. It follows therefore that, Peter’s reference to this prophecy introduces us to the significance of Joel’s prophetic promise concerning the Holy Spirit. It is also a pointer to the advent of the Holy Spirit Baptism, which will help transform believers from mere carnal state, to full spiritual rejuvenation, and maturity.
Reflections
- Repent, be converted and restored.
Prayer
- Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.
Further Reading: Exodus 2:1-15; Acts 2:1-21, Ephesians 4:17-32
ESOCS Devotional 24 May 2026
