Summary: Though Joel is a book of Judgment, it is also a book of Hope. In this book, God’s people are made to understand that even in the midst of divine judgment there is always hope if they will simply and humbly seek the Lord (2:12-13).

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

Joel 2:12-13 “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

“repenteth” [nawkhàm] = grieves, to sorrow, sigh, mourn.

“the evil” [haaarah] = adversity, affliction, calamity, distress.

The nation of Judah is in trouble! They are experiencing a dreadful drought and a massive invasion of locusts (1:7-20). They’re under constant attack by their enemies (3:2ff). These events have left the land ruined and the people demoralized.

God is judging Judah. The specific sins of the nation are not named in this book, but a careful reading indicates that the people had slipped into a state of spiritual apathy concerning the things of God (2:13). God used the trials they faced as a nation to awaken the hearts of His people and to call them back to Himself.

Though Joel is a book of Judgment, it is also a book of Hope. In this book, God’s people are made to understand that even in the midst of divine judgment there is always hope if they will simply and humbly seek the Lord (2:12-13).

While this book was written to Judah, there’s a message here for us. We look at our nation and our world and we wonder what the future holds? We wonder if there is any hope for Revival?

These verses teach that there is hope! I want to preach on the subject – “It’s Not Too Late.” I want you to see that there is hope for our families, our churches and our nation. Please notice first…

#1. THE PROBLEM – Joel 1:1 – 2:11.

The nation of Judah was facing…

• Devastation – 1:4. One insect invasion after another ruined their crops. There was little food for the people.

• Destruction – 1:5-7. They faced invasion from neighboring nations. These armies destroyed their vineyards and orchards.

• Desolation – 1:8-13; 16-20. A severe drought afflicted the nation. There was no rain and crops were failing. The herds and wild animals perished because there was no water or pasture for them. Fires scorched the fields and forests. The root problem was…

• Divine Discipline – 1:14-15. None of these things were accidental, they were the result of the judgment of God. He was judging His people for their sins.

As I read about the judgment that had fallen on Judah, I am reminded of where our families, churches and nation are today.

There’s little doubt we’re facing the judgment of God in America.

Romans 1:18-32 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to unclean-ness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Natural disasters are ripping through OUR nation with far greater frequency than ever before. While the south is devastated by drought, the mid-west is inundated by severe flooding. Tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires have caused loss of life and damages costing tens of billions of dollars.

• Is America under God’s judgment?

• Am I the only one asking this question?

Could it be that the problem is not Global Warming, but Christian Cooling?

Consider the sin and evil that runs rampant in our nation.

• Our generation calls “evil good” and “good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

• Our society Hails the wicked and Hates the righteous.

• We live in a spiritual climate where…

- Fear has replaced Faith.

- Sin has replaced Sanity.

- Greed has replaced Grace.

Our churches are under the judgment of God.

• Piety has given place to Personal Pleasure.

• Consecration has been replaced by Complacency.

• We get more excited about Races than Revival.

• We Wink at Sin and Wrestle with the Sovereignty of God.

• We’d rather Play than Pray.

• We’d rather be Entertained than Educated.

• Our Pews are full, but our Altars are empty.

• We’d rather have our Ears tickled than our Hearts searched.

• We’d rather Stay like we Are than Become like He Is.

I believe we’re under The Judgment of God!

#2. THE PLEA – Joel 2:12-17. Even though Judah was experiencing the judgment of God, there was still hope! God reached out to Israel one more time to address their condition and to call them back to Himself.

There is a plea for our Repentance – v 12-14. Genuine repentance is the only hope they had for survival. God calls on them to “turn” to Him “with all their heart.” He calls on them “rend” their “hearts” and not their “garments.”

God isn’t looking for more external displays of religion!

• He is looking for a change of heart.

• He is looking for people who are broken over their sin.

• He is looking for people who are honest, open, and repentant.

His blessings are awaiting those who will be honest about their condition.

• Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

• 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our only hope of being delivered from the judgment of God is for God’s people to seek the Lord with sincerity and humility. Until God’s people repent, there will be No power, No glory, No hope and No revival for our nation.

As long as the church continues to walk in rebellion against God, the world will mock both us and God. When we repent and are restored to a place of blessing, the world will acknowledge that God is real.

There is a plea for our Return – v 15-17. God calls the…

• People, from oldest to youngest, to come back to Him (v 16).

• Spiritual leaders to come back to Him (v 17).

God wants His people to seek His face once again. That is the most important need of our day!

#3. THE PROMISE – Joel 2:18-27.

After examining “The Problem” and hearing “His Plea,” the Lord now delivers “A Promise.” God says, if they will come back to Him, they will experience His blessings once again. Notice…

The promise of Restoration – v 18-22. God promises to deliver them from their enemies. He promises to feed them, bless them and satisfy them one more time. If they will come to Him, He will restore them to a place of blessing. There’s not a truly saved person here that doesn’t long for the Lord to bless His people again.

The promise of Revival – v 23-25. God promises to send both the “former” and “latter” rains. God also promised to replace everything that had been lost during the days of drought and devastation. He is promising a revival of His blessings on the land!

Metaphor – the “former” and “latter” rains. This is what we need in our day! We need the Lord to open the windows of Heaven and erase this spiritual drought we have been living under.

• We need God to Rain down heavenly blessings upon us.

• We need God to Restore what the enemy has carried away.

• We need a Return of God’s presence.

• We need a Restoration of God’s power.

• We need a Resurgence of holiness in the church.

• We need a REVIVAL!

Oh that God’s people would seek His face and ask Him to move among us once again. Oh that we could see how far we have fallen!

The promise of Rejoicing – v 26. God’s people will experience His blessings and they will be satisfied. They will praise Him. They will worship Him and exalt Him. They will hold their heads high before their enemies and no longer will they be the object of shame. They will be blessed once again and they will rejoice in their new condition.

The promise of Realization – v 27. When their restoration comes, they will know that God is in their midst and that He alone is the source of their strength, their power and their blessing. They will set their hearts to follow Him and they will never draw back into sin.

CONCLUSION: We must heed Paul’s warning.

Romans 13:11-14 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

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Pastor Kevin W. Burden

CARTER CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

Greenville, Kentucky