The Day of the Lord
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Joel 1:15-20, Joel 2:1-11, Psalm 43:4, Romans 10:13
BY Kaitlin Wernet
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
72 thoughts on "The Day of the Lord"
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Jesus,
I know that my heart and mind are so noisy and sometimes, well most times unfortunately it is so hard for me to distinguish your voice in all the noise. The noise of this world and the many headlines, the noise of my complacency, the noise of my inconsistent prayer/ devotion life, the noise of my SIN, the noise of my desires, my unmet wants, my fears about the future. So much noise in my life that sadly I can’t even hear you clearly or attend to you.
Jesus, but through the noise I already know that I am absolutely nothing without you, I know that I need you and Lord as I read your Word I realize what I wretched soul I am. I realize how far from you I’ve strayed and I am so convicted always by your word. So Jesus again I ask that you draw me near to you and that you forgive me for my many many sins, especially my complacency and my tendency to focus on trivial things. Lord tonight I ask you restore me, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Jesus, please forgive me and help me to do better. To hear your voice and not be carried away by the noise of this World and of my own sins. Lord I pray that you help me to trust you in every area of my life. I surrender my worries and fears to you(, help me to trust your plan.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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Amen
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Amen
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Amen
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So much yes! Amen!
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Amen!
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Thanks for your prayer! I echo these words! Amen.
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Thank you for sharing your prayer sweet sister! This is exactly the prayer that I needed. I will be praying for you and would so greatly appreciate your prayer as well.
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This is everything I needed to say. Thank you for sharing this prayer with us!
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Amen! This is me today as well!
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Amen!
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We’re in such a noisy place, this world were in. It’s comforting to know He acknowledges that noise and seeks us through it. We too are responsible to reduce the noise so we can hear His voice.
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Such a powerful message to read
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So thankful to be apart of this study!!
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this study is really helping to see some things I havent focused on. I thanks God for being a part of it.
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Of all the things in the devotional what struck me most was what Kaitlin Wernet said, “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.”
This really touched and blessed me.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thank you for allowing God our Abba to use you.-
Agreed! The imagery of the locust is powerful. So thankful that His word is living, active and still so relevant in my life.
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That sections really struck me as well!
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And me also!
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It’s such a beautiful reminder of Gods love for us too. Imagine us having to bear the weight of our sin as described in Joel! For me, This study is highlighting the immense price that Jesus paid for us and shows just how much God loves his children.
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Thankful that I have you great women to interpret scripture and give me a different insight than what I gleaned from the reading. I sensed a deep sorrow from Joel, as if he was saying… “isn’t the punishment enough?” Bring on the Day of the Lord! The people desperately need you!
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