“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…,”
Joel 2:25, esv
Over the last few years, television shows that highlight revamping homes have skyrocketed in popularity. From the first Property Brothers, Love It or List It, to the latest version of Fixer Upper, we can’t seem to get enough. As new life is breathed into worn out, dilapidated structures that sometimes have to be taken to their studs, we wait with fascinated anticipation for the latest and greatest design and gadget to be revealed.
Why is it then when God does His renovation (sanctification) work purifying our hearts that we don’t react with the same giddy glee?
When we first embrace Jesus as our Savior and Lord, the breathtaking peace that envelops us as sin is lifted from our hearts is amazing. The brand new faith God gives us is strong.
But as we get older and our lives take unexpected tumbles—oftentimes by our own doing—our spiritual feet get muddied and sullied from living in this fallen world. Overwhelming circumstances that kick up doubt causes our teetering faith to feel as if it might crumble at any second.
The barefaced truth is that God is sovereign and in control in ALL things—the blessings and even what seems like the very ruination of our souls. (See Romans 8:28.)
Several years ago when I was going through a rough time, a dear friend in trying to encourage me quoted the first part of Joel 2:25, esv. “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten….” It wasn’t until much later that I read the second half of the verse “…the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” (Bold is mine.)
What?! God Himself sent the flying vermin into their lives? Into mine? Why?
When God’s truth hits us like that:
- We need to quiet ourselves before the Lord letting His Word seep deeply into our hearts. We need to remember how the Lord worked in Jacob, Job, Ruth, Elijah, and David using the storms He allowed/sent in their lives for their good.
- Then we need to ask the unsettling questions that loom before us. What did I do wrong, Lord? What do You want me to see? Why are You letting this happen to me?
- And then, we need to listen as the Lord’s Holy Spirit leads us through His Word and as He speaks to our hearts. That’s what happened with Elijah when he ran for his life from Jezebel. (See 1 Kings 19:3-13.)
Sometimes it’s sin—an attitude, pride, or motive—the Lord wants us to confess so that He can remove it from our hearts. (See Psalm 51.) Other times it’s to train us to trust Him more. (See 2 Timothy 4:1-2.) Either way, God’s abiding love wants to draw us closer to Himself and deeper into His Sabbath rest so He can bless, restore, and fill us to overflowing with His Holy Spirit.
That was the Lord’s heart for the Israelites that He was speaking to in the book of Joel.
And that is His heart for us today.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the locusts you send into our lives. We know that whatever happens comes from Your Providential love. Please hold us close to You. Thank You that it is Your faith and not ours that anchors us to You. Thank You for loving us so much that You do what is needed to draw us closer to You. Please cause the eyes and ears of our hearts to see, hear, and recognize Your hand in everything that comes our way. Cause us to seek You with all our hearts for You have promised that when we do, we will find You.* Fill us with Your love. Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
*Jeremiah 29:13
Kimberly
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never again be put to shame.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”
Joel 2:25-29, esv
