“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.“ Joel 2:28-32
Lord who gives,
Joel is not easy to understand. But here in chapter 2 we find these beautiful promises which Peter picks out and recites to the crowds at Pentecost (Acts 2:15-21) . You are a God who will give of Yourself to everyone who calls to You. The catalyst being Your Son Jesus opening the way to the whosoever. To embrace all men and women and children.
Joel say a Day of the Lord coming. Peter saw that one had come. But we are also waiting for that day when Jesus shall return. At the Ascension, to men in white apparel, told those men watching that Jesus would come back one day (Acts 1:10-11). Jesus said not even he knew the date, the important thing was to always be ready (Matthew 24:43-44). He told us to live each day, one day at a time (Matthew 6:34). It is a lot to take in and I don’t think I shall even understand all about Jesus coming back till it happens. Meanwhile I am grateful that You poured out Your Spirit upon us, even me. So I could see what You show me, dream of heaven and hear Your voice in my heart. And prepare me for when You do come again.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Written in 1930 but still absolutely relevant words for today. And still we look forward to the day You return – but also with a little fear and trepidation of how it will happen?!
God of grace and God of glory,
on Thy people pour Thy pow’r;
crown Thine ancient church’s story,
bring her bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us,
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
3 Set our feet on lofty places;
gird our lives, that they may be
armored with all Christ-like graces
in the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
that we fail not man nor Thee!
That we fail not man nor Thee!
Lyrics: Harry Emerson Fosdick