DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL MONDAY JANUARY 15, 2018 HOPE IN MISERY TEXT:JOEL 3:1-20

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY JANUARY 15, 2018

HOPE IN MISERY

TEXT:JOEL 3:1-20

KEY VERSE: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord , and shall water the valley of Shittim."
(Joel 3:18 KJV)

At the time of Prophet Joel’s ministry, a deadly plague of locust took place in Judah, so grave that the Jews’ daily sacrifice had to be discontinued. The suspension of this age-long service partly meant the stoppage of the full worship of Jehovah. For such a discerning man of God as Joel, some more severe danger lay ahead.

God revealed to him that the plague of locusts was a harbinger of the “day of the LORD”, when the people would be tormented by palpable darkness. “The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining” (verse 15). The picture speaks of utter destruction, gloom and judgment from God.

What was the cause? The people of Judah experienced unprecedented prosperity that drew them into spiritual laxity and complacency. They went further into self-centredness and idolatry which disconnected them from Jehovah who would not look on without meting out appropriate chastisement as a good father should.

Now, Joel said a bigger and more encompassing war would occur on the “day of the LORD”. It would be a conflict between God and the people who refuse to submit to Him or call on the name of the Lord for salvation. And no one will be able to endure the calamity on that day.

The prophet also spoke about the restoration of God’s people and full Kingdom blessings for them. “But Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion” (Joel 3:20,21). Truly, escape from divine wrath and restoration to favour with Him happens when the sinner/backslider repents and asks for cleansing by the shed blood of Christ. Saved, believers must commit themselves to preaching the gospel so sinners can escape divine wrath.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The door of mercy will be shut forever after the Day of Judgment.
COVER TO COVER: JOB 40-42.

PONDER:
1. The prophecy of impending judgement in the text is not for believers but meant to tell us to always be in a state of preparedness.
2. At what time in history will this prophecy be fulfilled? Need to scrutinize it to understand when. It is our duty not to just gloss over.
3. 2 groups of nations are mentioned. The gentiles or the heathen v9 and Judah v1.
4. The gentile powers combined together fought Judah and scattered them into captivity v1, sold them out as slaves at ridiculous prices v3, 6, emptied Judah of all their precious things v5.
5. Following this, there will be a war of all the nations versus Judah v9-14. All the nations will be fatally defeated by the Jews v7-9. Obviously, It will involve the bodily presence of Jesus in the earth who will fight for Judah v16 including the forces of nature v15.
6. What will follow will be a millennial reign of unprecedented Peace and prosperity v18-21.
7. In essence, this period is referring to the battle of Armageddon in the 2nd half of the 7 year Great Tribulation period. This will usher in the coming of the Lord. Matthew 24
8. The only thing hindering it is the rapture, after all genuine believers get to heaven.
9. Like a dream, it is coming real. Jerusalem is now recognised by many as capital of Israel. How prepared are you if the rapture happens today, because it can!

You saw Jesus at Calvary, helpless. Have you seen Him as the Lion of Judah fighting and roaring. He will fight with you in all your battles this year.

HYMN: When we all get to heaven

1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
sing His mercy and His grace;
in the mansions bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.

*Refrain:*
When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory.

2 While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
clouds will overspread the sky;
but when traveling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh. [Refrain]

3 Let us then be true and faithful,
trusting, serving every day;
just one glimpse of Him in glory
will the toils of life repay. [Refrain]

4 Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
soon the pearly gates will open;
we shall tread the streets of gold. [Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Passionately tell Jesus that you don't want to miss rapture and that He should make you ready.
2. Pray for grace to be heaven minded and serious minded with making heaven.
3. God will visit you and remove all encumbrances and vanities that will hinder you.
4. Pray for those that you will not like to miss heaven.