What if? Questions about God. The What if? Scenario is common among those pondering the eventualities of life, the possibilities, the hopes and dreams for the future. One wonders if things are possible or if all of it will end tragically.
When taken in the context of Joel’s message to the Israelites, we see Joel was confronting the Jews to establish God’s desires for their future and what would surely happen if they did not change their ways. There was no What If, about God’s answer as Joel lays it out before them. Pastor’s first question was What had been lost?
When taken in the context of Joel’s message to the Israelites, we see Joel was confronting the Jews to establish God’s desires for their future and what would surely happen if they did not change their ways. There was no What If, about God’s answer as Joel lays it out before them. Pastor’s first question was What had been lost?
Joel 2:12-13 says they have lost their way and are not walking towards or with God. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” The people were not remembering God’s love and forgiveness. It is similar to the church at Ephesus to which the angel write a letter in Revelation 2:3-5 “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
They had lost their first love of Jesus, just as the Jews had lost their first love of God and following Him. The only solution was repentance in both cases whether in the Old Testament or New, one must repent of their sins and return to God. What about you? Do you still burn with the fervor you had for Christ when you first came to Him? Has the world tried to snuff out that joy and eagerness to share who Christ is? Discover again what is lost by repenting and returning to your first love of Jesus today!
Another question Pastor asked was What if you knew you were going to fail? First of all, everyone fails. Scripture tells us that in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” We are all failures and born into sin. The better question might be, what do we do after we fail? Joel counsels repentance and turning to God and not dwelling on our failures. Paul felt an absolute failure when confronted with his sin and God redirected him in, Acts 26:18 “ to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ God had a purpose and mission for Paul as He does for all of us. Claim Jeremiah 29:11 in your life and move forward with God’s plans. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Finally, reject fear and let the Holy Spirit lead you. Walking in trust and obedience to God is a lifelong pursuit. There are always failures and victories along the pathway.
Another question Pastor asked was What if you knew you were going to fail? First of all, everyone fails. Scripture tells us that in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” We are all failures and born into sin. The better question might be, what do we do after we fail? Joel counsels repentance and turning to God and not dwelling on our failures. Paul felt an absolute failure when confronted with his sin and God redirected him in, Acts 26:18 “ to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ God had a purpose and mission for Paul as He does for all of us. Claim Jeremiah 29:11 in your life and move forward with God’s plans. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Finally, reject fear and let the Holy Spirit lead you. Walking in trust and obedience to God is a lifelong pursuit. There are always failures and victories along the pathway.
Joel 2:21-27 gives us hope and promise. “Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things!
22 Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Rejoice and praise God for what HE has done in your life!
Surely the Lord has done great things!
22 Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Rejoice and praise God for what HE has done in your life!
23 Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
Praise God for His faithfulness and constant devotion to you.
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
God will restore those broken failed years, and make all things new-not the same but different in Him.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the Lord your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.
Then you will know God, and walk in His trust!
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.
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