New Blessings

God called the prophet Joel to alert His people. He wanted them to wake up and see what had taken place while they’d been spiritually asleep; to realize that they had been drunk with the things of this world; to be aware of the seriousness of their problems; to recognize that, unless something changed, they would be devastated.

He called on them to repent, to humble themselves and seek His face, to recognize their sins and seek His forgiveness and mercy.

Their situation seemed hopeless, but if they returned to Him, He was ready to save them. He would assure that they no longer would be mocked, and “never again” would they be a “reproach among the nations.”

God would deliver them and meet every need. They would be “satisfied in full” (v. 19), and He would give them abundance: “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the LORD your God” (v. 26).

Even more, God would bring them into a new dimension of the Spirit, and there would be an outpouring of salvation. As people saw the work of God in their lives, they would turn to Him: “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered’” (v. 32).

God stands ready to make these kinds of changes in our time. He wants to provide abundance, meet our needs, and pour out His Spirit. Will you turn to Him? Will you humble yourself? Will you cry out to Him? Will you seek His face?