God’s Call To Fall… In Humble Prayer
Joel 2:12-19
God used an economic meltdown to get His people’s attention. (Joel 1:2-4)
Has anything like this destruction ever happened before? (v.2)
Experiencing a unique plague that was result of the Lord’s judgment upon them.
Appears economy had been doing well… intoxicated with blessings of God (v.5)… they no longer acknowledged source of their blessing.
God’s people were only going thru the motions with their religious practices… but their hearts were not towards Him. (Joel 2:12-13)
America is going thru a financial trial (meltdown?)… Is God trying to get our attention?
Have we become intoxicated with our blessings & turned away from God?
God called His people to repent… to a change of heart. (Joel 2:12-13)
To receive God’s mercy & forgiveness, His people must return to God, & turn away from their sinful paths. (Joel 2:12-13)
Turn to God with all your heart… with fasting, & with weeping & mourning. (v.2:12)
Many types of fasts (all foods, types of foods, meals, worldly influence (TV, news))
Return to God begins with personal repentance… in our hearts we must be sorry for our sins & the fact we have offended God. (Ps 51:4)
What does a repentant heart look like?
A repentant heart assumes responsibility… it does not rationalize sin away by comparing it to what appears to be more vile sin in others.
A repentant heart is also humble before God, manifesting true poverty of spirit. (Mt 5:3)
If my people will humble themselves & pray. (2Chron 7:14)
It is the humble who will experience God’s grace & mercy. (Pr 3:34; Ja 4:10; 1Pet 5:5)
Joel calls the people to humble themselves thru a fast & sacred assembly. (Joel 2:15-16)
To fast & pray on behalf of the nation that had gone astray.
God’s people are to take the initiative to fast, assemble, & pray.
With contrite hearts, they were to go before the altar on bended knee.
They were to pray to the Lord, “Spare your people, O Lord… Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” (Joel 2:17)
They were directed to pray & remind God that it is all about Him & His reputation.
He does care about His people & their needs… but bottom line is all Glory to God.
We too must appeal to God about His reputation.
Do your prayers center on His will & purposes, & His honor & glory? (Mt 6:33)
Humbly repent… & see God’s mercy, protection & provision. (Joel 2:19-27)
God’s zeal to punish will be turned into a display of His mercy, protection & provision.
He will not only end the destruction, He will restore what has been destroyed. (v.25)
The entire situation would be turned around (v.26) & restored by the presence of God…
This promise is based on the unchanging character of God… & extended to us today.
When circumstances seem to overwhelm you & you can’t find the answer… the answer is humble yourself, trust God, & pray just where you are!
Often, the reason you’re in that place is in order that you might learn to trust God more.
Accept your circumstances as they are… God works all things for good to those who love God & are called of Him. (Rm 8:28)
When you present yourself to God in the morning to do His will, He even works thru evil to bring about His intended good. (Gen 50:20) It’s important you accept all circumstances of your life as from the loving hand & heart of Sovereign God.
We honor God & bring Him glory when we trust Him completely.
You can trust God in all things… even when you can’t see Him, or see His purposes.
As you learn to trust Him in all things, you will increasingly enjoy His fellowship.
Call to fall… if my people will humble themselves & pray, seek my face, & turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, & heal their land. (2Chron 7:14)
Kneel & pray for our nation & His Church; repent; remember God’s reputation & His glory.
“Our Heavenly Father, we have allowed the enemy to come into our county like a flood… arise Lord, & lift up a holy standard in your church,& may it begin with me, that your name may once again be reverenced & glorified in our land.” (Isa 59:19)
07-05-09