Prepare

Psalm 119:53-56

Read:

Joel 2:1-3:21

Think:

The day of the Lord in Joel “would soon come as an invasion that overtook the land by surprise” (Sailhamer). It is God sending an invading force to bring judgement upon his people. As v. 11 says, who can endure it? Yet, repentance is possible! Rend your hearts and turn to God. Note the character of God as described in v. 13—memorize it! Our great hope in the coming judgment of God is his mercy and his promise to pour out his Holy Spirit (vv. 28-29), which he did at Pentecost (Acts 2). Ultimately, God will judge the nations which have troubled Israel (Joel 3).

Pray:

And so, we have hope, for we have seen our Savior and Messiah—Jesus Christ! And we have received the Holy Spirit God promised. So, we do not fear the Day of the Lord, but long for it, for then we shall be with the Lord forever. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Pray a prayer of thanks and praise to God!

Sing:

In Christ we have no more fear of condemnation! Note the chorus of the timeless hymn And Can it Be: "Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God should'st die for me?"