Witness Him Now
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. It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army appears. Nothing like it has been seen before or will ever be seen again. Fire burns in front of them, and flames follow after them. Ahead of them the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. Behind them is nothing but desolation; not one thing escapes. (Joel 2:1-3)
THIS IS SPIRITUAL, and it is happening right now. There is a mighty army that is sweeping across the land as I type this that wants to destroy families, destroy children, destroy marriages, destroy everything that is near and dear to our heart. This army marches forward, never breaking rank. They never jostle each other; each moves in exactly the right position. They break through defenses without missing a step. They swarm over the city and run along its walls. They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows. The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine. (Joel 2:6-10) Because there is no light, confusion rules the land. We blindly grope and feel, trying to find our way. Fear and worry are sleeping in our beds. Terror is not far behind. Anger and frustration and bitterness guard our doors. They hold us hostage. Peace is nowhere to be found. Fear grips all the people; every face grows pale with terror. Can you see it? Can you feel it? It is here. The Day of the vengeance of the LORD and the year of His favor is upon us. "He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come, and with it, the Day of God's anger against their enemies." (Isaiah 61:2). This is the Day in which we are living, and God is at the head of this enemy army. "The LORD is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is His mighty army, and they follow His orders. The Day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?" (Joel 2:11) That is why the LORD says, "TURN TO ME NOW, WHILE THERE IS TIME! Give Me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead." Return to the LORD your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Who knows? Perhaps He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the LORD your God as before. (Joel 2:12-14) Friends of mine, God is not playing. The time has come. "Let the nations be called to arms. Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat (decision). There I, the LORD, will sit to pronounce judgment on them all. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full. The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people." Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the Day of the LORD will soon arrive. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will no longer shine. The LORD's voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel. (Joel 3:12-16) For some of you, this is not happening to you, it is happening to those you love. So what do we do? "Blow the ram's horn in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Gather all the people - the elders, the children, and even the babies. Call the bridegroom from his quarters and the bride from her private room. LET THE PRIESTS, WHO MINISTER IN THE LORS'S PRESENCE, stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray, "Spare your people, LORD! Don't let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don't let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say, 'Has the God of Israel left them?'" Then the LORD will pity His people and jealously guard the honor of His land. (Joel 2:15-18) The day of decision has come, but it is so dark. People are blind and can't see, deaf and can't hear. God is asking us to stand in the gap - "SPARE YOUR PEOPLE, O LORD! DO NOT GIVE YOUR INHERITANCE AS A REPROACH AMONG THE NATIONS!" I ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus. AMEN
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