LORD God Almighty

Read Joel
 
Joel 2:10-11 The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. 11 The Lord is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?
 
 JOEL is a poetic and vivid display of God’s power. We generally read this as an end-time prophecy. It certainly is that in its description of the LORD’s destruction on earth and then his salvation. This pattern is given in Daniel, Isaiah, Psalms, Revelation and Matthew: The repeated image of the sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine also points to the beginning of the new creation. This is also an image of God’s work to end an era of his salvation plan to begin a new time of his work and revelation.
   We can then see it is possible Joel spoke as many prophets. He pointed to events soon to happen, events to happen in a century or so into the future and events to occur on the final day of the Lord – of final judgment and salvation. The image of The Lord is at the head of the column also appears in Psalm 77:18, describing God leading his people through the Red Sea. Joshua 5:4 records Joshua receiving commands from the LORD of heaven’s army.
   What we must know is the power of the Day of the Lord does not wait until the final day of judgment. God has shown his magnificent virtue, majesty and holiness as he conquered Israel’s enemies throughout the Old Testament’s history. We know, too, God has judged Israel with drought, warfare, famine and disease. And then he has held stretched out his hand to restore them. All of this is to continually underscore the LORD God Almighty is sovereign over all the earth. He will choose his day. He will act at his time to judge, to renew and to save.
   Let’s consider this hope: Joel 2:13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. 14 Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before.
    Joel assures there is salvation for those whose hearts break over their sin and turn to the LORD for their redemption. This is a prophecy of renewal of God’s will on earth. The LORD promises his power to come onto his own: Joel 3:14 Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.15 The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine.16 The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.
    God has done this through Jesus’ resurrection. He has done this through the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost. His power shakes the world with his truth. All who believe find refuge in him. No enemy will touch God’s own. The day of the LORD is the believers’ joy.