The Hope That Comes From Refuge Series

Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#24]

THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM REFUGE

Joel 3:16

Introduction:

This morning, our text is in the Book of Joel. As we continue our series in the 3rd chapter and 16th verse; I want you to see that you have a choice to make: You can try to hide from God or you can hide in God.

I haven’t played in a long time; but when I was a kid I loved to play “Hide and Seek”. I was really good at hiding, no one could ever seem to find me; but I have learned through the years that there is 1 person that I cannot hide from- God.

Joel 3:2 (NIV)

“I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.”

Joel 3:7-8 (NIV)

“`See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done. I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away.` The LORD has spoken.”

There is no hope in…

1. Hiding from God.

When you try to hide from God I want you to be reminded that…

? God knows.

God knew what those nations were doing to Israel and He knows everything that goes on in our lives. He knows those things that we have done that are sinful.

Joel 3:9-16 (NIV)

“Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, `I am strong!` Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD! `Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- so great is their wickedness!` Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.”

When someone does us wrong and we want to take revenge on them I want you to be reminded that…

? God will handle it.

God knows what they have done to you and He won’t let it slide. Your enemy cannot hide from God, but when you retaliate you just make it worse. There will come a day that God will completely destroy the enemy. This battle that Joel is talking about is known as the Battle of Armageddon. God will draw those who have been against Him together and God will destroy them. They will not be able to hide from God. The key here for us, is we need to make sure we know which side of this battle we are on. Are you for God or against Him? You can’t hide from God.

Joel 3:16b-21 (NIV)

“But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. `Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. `In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house and will water the valley of acacias. But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations. Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon.` The LORD dwells in Zion!”

There is hope in…

2. Hiding in God.

God is our…

? Refuge.

A refuge is a place where you go that is safe.

God is our…

? Stronghold.

When the enemy is attacking, they can never destroy us.

God is our…

? Salvation.

We were enemies of God because of sin. We are guilty and we deserve to be destroyed; but through the blood of Jesus Christ we can be saved.

Conclusion:

What do we have to do to be saved?

Admit.

Believe.

Confess.

Christians, what problems do you have that God can’t handle? Remember He is our salvation, our refuge, and our stronghold.