We
hear the words, “Return to the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:13). They are
followed by some wonderful words about the character of God - “He is
merciful and compassionate, patient and always ready to forgive and to
change His plans about disaster” (Joel 2:13). How do we know that God is
like this? We look at what He has done for us - “Be glad and rejoice.
The Lord has done great things!” (Joel 2:21). Looking at all that the
Lord has done for us, we trust His promise: “Whoever calls on the Name
of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). This salvation is more than
forgiveness for past sins. It’s more than the future glory of being in
God’s everlasting Kingdom - “Mount Zion” (Joel 2:32). It’s also the
power of the Spirit, here and now: “I will pour out My Spirit on
everyone” (Joel 2:28).
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be
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