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God tasked Joel with getting the nation’s attention. They were in an economic crisis, which had
focused people’s minds, and now God was using it to get their attention back on Him.
“Joel didn’t ask
God for anything; he simply told the
Lord of the suffering of the land, the beasts, and the people, knowing that God
would do what was right,” my
commentary said. I think we too can pray
and “state the obvious” to God. Of
course He knows, but He also wants
to make sure we know that our sin is
the root cause of most human suffering.
“Too often we drift along from day to day, taking our
blessings for granted, until God
permits a natural calamity to occur and remind us of our total dependence on Him.”
The people humbled themselves with a fast and lamented their
conditions. But God also called them to
another step: praying. Even the animals
were groaning, as all creation groans and longs to be set free from the bondage
caused by man’s sin. But only humans can
pray and ask God for forgiveness,
praise Him for His lovingkindness and grace and mercy, and seek His face.
Being the Lord of hosts and the Lord of the armies of heaven
and earth, God simply had commanded an invasion of locusts. He needed His people to rediscover their dependence
on Him.
Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me not to take You for granted. Make me keenly aware each day of what You do
for me. Remind me to be thankful for it
all, and cause me to be saddened and contrite when I forget.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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