Scripture Reading: Joel 1:15-20, Joel 2:1-11, Psalm 43:4, Romans 10:13
You’re probably tired of hearing about the locusts. Welcome to the club.
Well, I’m definitely not interested in talking about “cicadas,” a term which, until today, I thought was Southern slang for the locusts we read about in Joel chapter 1: “What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten…” (v. 4). For the record, they’re not the same. But they’re still creepy and crawly, and although I’m probably hurting a scientist’s feelings right now, they’re the same in my book.
Not long ago, the 13-year cicadas took over our city, which is why I can say for certain that the worst part about these little pests is the swarming noise. And while we’ve moved on in today’s Scripture passage without mention of locusts, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. We’ve just needed to focus on other things Joel tells us will signal the day of the Lord—and it’s quite a list. Compared to food shortages and moaning cattle, the locusts are nothing.
That’s what I was beginning to think a few week’s into our recent cicada invasion: Maybe things weren’t so bad! In fact, the swarming sounds were sometimes soothing, like white noise, compared to newer frustrations like recent headlines, car repairs, and dental surgeries. Then, just when I was beginning to consider the cicadas old news, someone sent a mass email to our neighborhood with the subject line, “High-Pitched ‘Whirring’ Noise Throughout Neighborhood.” It read:
Does anyone know where the noise throughout the neighborhood over the past few days has been coming from? It’s loud over here! Hoping it will cease in the near future, but just wondered if anyone else is aware of the source?
I’m not sure how our neighbor had successfully avoided them for weeks. But as I recalled my own miserable first encounter with the swarming bugs, I felt the urge to send her a sympathy casserole.
With the ever-increasing list of destruction headed our way in Joel, I think we, too, need a reminder of exactly how bad things actually are. Sin is real, and it is devastating.
Something I’ve learned about the locusts in Joel, versus the cicadas of my own experience: their swarming results from a collective desperation to be fed, and it is extremely damaging to crops in their path. The hungrier they get, the louder they become.
Isn’t it the same for us? We are willing to destroy almost anything in the name of satisfaction. We are are willing to worship almost anything for a promise of fulfillment. Sin rages, and we continue to turn up the volume.
We cannot be counted on to stop and listen on our own, which is why it’s so beautiful that, above all the terrible noise we’ve grown accustomed to, God still makes Himself heard.
“The Lord makes his voice heard
in the presence of his army.
His camp is very large;
those who carry out his command are powerful.
Indeed, the day of the Lord is terrible and dreadful—
who can endure it?”
– Joel 2:11
He doesn’t just make His voice loud as the day of judgment approaches. He makes sure it’s heard by those who love Him, and beckons to those who don’t yet know the sound of His voice. Upon hearing Him, may our hearts respond in love and in praise, echoing the sentiment of the psalmist:
Then I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my greatest joy.
I will praise you with the lyre,
God, my God.
– Psalm 43:4
Leave a Reply
72 thoughts on "The Day of the Lord"
“He doesn’t just make His voice loud as the day of judgment approaches. He makes sure it’s heard by those who love Him” God is calling our attention!!!! He is Mercy!!!!!
As I was reading Joel this morning, it dawned on me that before the army of locusts in chapter 2, there is drought. Food cut off, no pasture for the cows, seeds shriveled, store houses and graineries are broken down, flocks suffering, etc.
I thinks this applies to our lives. I don’t know about you, but when I’m spiritually dry is when I am the most tempted, lacking in self control and find myself sliding back.
Lord, may I draw from the well that never runs dry and listen to the sound of your voice during the desert experiences of life.
Amen! May we all today draw from the well that never runs dry, Lord.
“…above all the terrible noise we’ve grown accustomed to, God still makes Himself heard.”
This is beyond comforting in a world as noisy as ours and with hearts that tend to convince ourselves that the clanging noise is preferable to the sweet sound of our Father’s love.
I loved that part, too. How deep the Father’s love for us, how sweet His voice!!! ❤
Oh the sweet sound of our Father’s love. So happy to see your post today .
Wow, locusts, drought and huge invading armies. The locusts seem to be saying “if you think we are bad just wait until an army as numerous as we descends upon you”.
Thank you Tina for the New Day reminder.
This is indeed a new day with new opportunities. May we use this new day to comfort the suffering and proclaim Christ, to call to repentance those who have not yet tasted His goodness.
This is a really innltligeet way to answer the question.
Praying that my heart, and my ears, will be wholly His today…..
Amen.
“Woe because of that day! For the day of the Lord is near and will come as devastation from the Almighty.” God is not kidding around. He is crystal clear. Judgment day is coming and it is closer than we think. I shiver and shudder when I read that verse but I am grateful for its clarity, directness and, above all, honesty. His judgment will be fierce and it will be fair. Whereas there is comfort for those who are His, do not be mistaken – He will do what He says and how He says. And there’s only one Way to have peace on that day. The Way is Jesus. As the day draws ever nearer, may we stop worrying about who we might offend and just speak the Truth sincerely, clearly and directly. There’s no more time for kidding around.
I had similar thoughts this morning.
Wow, I never thought of sin as a volume that drowns out God’s voice, but it makes so much sense. It reminds me of the story about God showing up as a whisper instead of as thunder, or in an earthquake. He has spoken to me and called me back to him distinctly when my sin created difficult circumstances in my life at least 3 very defined moments in my life. Each of those times, He extended an amount of grace that astounded me. I could not respond any other way, but to repent and come back home to Him. He is such a good and loving Father!
Every new day is the day of the Lord.
New dawn.
New mercies.
New grace.
New life.
New Hope.
Everyday is the day of the Lord.
Let us rejoice and be glad I’m it… Amen.
Praying, sisters, your new day is filled with His presence, grace, love , hope… xxx
Amen!
New mercies … every day! Love to you, T!