“Sound the trumpet in Jerusalem! Raise the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us.” Joel 2:1
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. 26 Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced. 27 Then you will know that I am among my people Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced. 28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. 30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. 32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.” Joel 2:25-32 NLT
The Lord who gives,
Joel, no-one is sure when it was written Lord, but it was at a time when there was a terrible locust plague which led to a famine. This terrible picture from nature Joel used to show Your message of sin and judgement but . . . with Your promise of hope and repentance.
Joel introduces the day of the Lord, Your great and terrible day yet to come.. A vivid pictures of destruction which should serve to awaken the listeners from their spiritual stupor and complacency. But even if his listeners in Judah and Jerusalem heard and responded their repentance was limited to law-keeping and works. The Day of the Lord has not yet come . . .But Joel also speaks of a day when You, God will pour out Your Spirit on all people even servants who were often foreigners! And women! And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
And we today look back to Pentecost as Joel looked forward. The Spirit poured out so You God could be everywhere and with everyone at all times. No longer bound by flesh and two feet walking with us as Jesus. Sometimes, Lord God, I think I forget to give Your Spirit honour as He is You with me. The Spirit of Christ, Spirit of God and the holy Spirit as I try to understand the Trinity. Let me not take Him (You) for granted. And the promised coming Day of the Lord shake us from complacency.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 16th October 2025
It is wonderful to sense Your Holy Spirits presence in a service but I pray I honour His presence with me every day.
Spirit of the living God
Spirit of the living God
We only want to hear Your voice
We’re hanging on every word
Spirit of the living God
Spirit of the living God
We want to know You more and more
We’re hanging on every word
‘Cause when You speak, and when You move
When You do what only You can do, It changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
When You come in the room
When You do what only You can do, it changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
You’re changing everything
Spirit of the living God
Spirit of the living God
We’re leaning in to all You are
Everything else can wait
Spirit of the living God
Spirit of the living God
Come now and breathe upon our hearts
Come now and have Your way
Cause when You speak, and when You move
When You do what only You can do, It changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
When You come in the room
When You do what only You can do, it changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
You’re changing everything
When You move, You move all our fears
When You move, You move us to tears
When You move, You move all our fears
When You move, You move us to tears
When You fall, we fall on our knees
When You fall, we fall at Your feet
When You fall, we fall on our knees
When You fall, we fall at Your feet
Cause when You speak, and when You move
When You do what only You can do, It changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
When You come in the room
When You do what only You can do, it changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
You’re changing everything
Songwriters: Jacob Sooter / Mia Fieldes