Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
—Joel 2:21 (KJV)
This reassurance from God is given to a people facing desperate times — times which God caused to lead his people to repent of their evil ways. Their land was desolate and decimated by drought, plagues, and poor harvests. However, God promised to bless them if they would return to him with all their hearts. The LORD, the covenant God of Israel, promised to do great things to bring his people to deliverance through their repentance and because of God's gracious power. The land would be able to rejoice and be glad. So would his people! So should we! Part of the fulfillment of this prophecy happened in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when the church was born (Acts 2:22-47). We know that "the LORD has done great things" for us based on this promise.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your work in our little part of your big world. Thank you for your incredible work worldwide among all peoples. Thank you for your deliverance in Jesus. Thank you for his victory over death. Thank you for the incredible outpouring of your grace and mercy. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Thank you for the Scriptures your Spirit inspired and still uses to teach us. Thank you for a family of your friends known as your Church. Thank you for your faithfulness to your covenant through the centuries that brought this grace to us. Thank you in the name of Jesus! Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Joel 2:21 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
This reassurance from God is given to a people facing desperate times — times which God caused to lead his people to repent of their evil ways. Their land was desolate and decimated by drought, plagues, and poor harvests. However, God promised to bless them if they would return to him with all their hearts. The LORD, the covenant God of Israel, promised to do great things to bring his people to deliverance through their repentance and because of God's gracious power. The land would be able to rejoice and be glad. So would his people! So should we! Part of the fulfillment of this prophecy happened in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when the church was born (Acts 2:22-47). We know that "the LORD has done great things" for us based on this promise.
My Prayer...
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your work in our little part of your big world. Thank you for your incredible work worldwide among all peoples. Thank you for your deliverance in Jesus. Thank you for his victory over death. Thank you for the incredible outpouring of your grace and mercy. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Thank you for the Scriptures your Spirit inspired and still uses to teach us. Thank you for a family of your friends known as your Church. Thank you for your faithfulness to your covenant through the centuries that brought this grace to us. Thank you in the name of Jesus! Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
