Devotional Reflection I

This was a part of my devotional on April 28th, 2024.

I felt that God was speaking to me a lot through His word.

【 Joel 2 】

    No one can stand against the LORD’s judgement. He leads a great army, marching in formation. The Day of the Lord is great and very terrible. NO ONE CAN ENDURE IT. 

    Therefore, God is calling everyone to repent. Rend their hearts and not their garments. This means true repentance from our devious ways, making a complete 180 degree turn from our old sinful ways and start walking in the light. (1 John 1:7) This isn’t just a one time fix. This path with God is an everyday walk with Him, and that’s the beauty of it. The world promotes quick fixes. Every solution or remedy to a problem has to be fast and proficient. But what God desires is the process. No Christian conference, Christian camp, Sunday service, worship session, Christian workshops, anything we think can save us CANNOT bring us true repentance. It has to happen in the heart daily when we crucify ourselves to the cross so that Jesus might live in us. (1 Corinthians 15:31) That’s rending our hearts and not our garments. No other religion requires people to do this. No other “god” wants to carry our problems with us and “walk” with us, in other words, no other religion emphasizes on "relationship." Abby, rend your heart and not your garment. 

< Challenge question 1: What are some quick fixes that you use instead of seeking God first? >


    In deed, no one can stand against the judgement of our LORD, but because He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:13) God changes His mind as well. What was supposed to be a horrible judgement can turn out to be a wonderful blessing, if we rend our hearts. It’s not because of us, but because of who He is. Our YAHWEH, Adonai, El Shaddai, is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Amen. 

< Challenge question 2: Take a moment to meditate on Joel 2:13. >


    In the end of Joel chapter 2, it ends with the promises of God, and the description of what it will look like when the Spirit is poured out onto the land. The LAND will rejoice! All creatures will be satisfied. New oil, new wine, the threshing floor will be full of wheat, and no shame. Not only no more shame, but He promised to never let us be put to shame again. The Spirit will come upon all ages and all social statues of people. The only thing that matters is that we are the LORD’s and He is our One and Only God. 

< Challenge question 3: Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out wherever you live, that His kingdom will come, that the land will be renewed, that shame will be removed, that people will come to know God!!! Praise God for He is faithful and all His promises are yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20.)  >




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