What Does It Mean That the Day of The Lord Will Come?
Joel 2:12-13, 2:28-32
The book of Joel is one of warning to the people of Judah and can be applied to believers today. The people of Judah had become prosperous and smug in their relationship with God. While underestimating God, they had become egotistical. They worshipped idols and fell into sin. Joel cautions them that this way of life will unavoidably cause God to cast his judgment down on them.
In the first part of chapter one, Joel predicts that a locust plague will befall the people of Judah. In the second part of chapter one, Joel calls the people unto repentance. Then in the first section of chapter two, Joel warns of the approaching judgment. Next, he warns that the people should return to the Lord their God. The last part of chapter two, Joel tells them that God will pour out his Spirit. Then finally in chapter three, Joel tells them that the Day of the Lord is near.
The “Day of the Lord” is a common expression in the Old Testament. It generally alludes to some phenomenal occurrence, regardless of whether a current event (the plague of locust), an event that is soon to happen (Jerusalem being destroyed or enemy nations being defeated), or at the end of history when God will vanquish all the powers of evil.
Joel 2:12-13, Return to the Lord your God
God was telling his people of Judah to return to him while the window of opportunity remained open. Their time for repentance was almost over and judgment was soon to given to them for their disobedience. Since we do not have the foggiest idea when our lives will end, like the sands in an hourglass, slowly falling. We do not know when our time will be up so we must repent for any wrongdoing that might be in our lives. We cannot afford to have anything holding us back from a relationship with the Lord.
• Deuteronomy 4:29-31, But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Profound regret, or deep remorse, was regularly shown by the tearing of one's garments, along with the covering of ashes and the wearing of sackcloth. In any case, God did not just want an outward presentation of contrition without the genuine internal atonement (Matthew 23:1-36).
• 1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeketh not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
We should be certain that our disposition toward God is right, in addition to our outward activities. Our inward attitude (heart) must be true and righteous toward God for the grace and mercy of God to come upon us. If only an outward action is performed, it is on no use and judgment is what we deserve.
• Exodus 34:6, And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
• Numbers 14:18, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
• Psalm 106:45, And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
What does it mean to repent? It means that one feels and expresses sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing, transgressions, or sin. It enters our minds then it hits our hearts. We do a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn around and go back to God.
Joel 2:28-32, God will pour out His Spirit
Peter cited this entry upon the arrival of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21); the overflowing of the Spirit anticipated by Joel happened on the day of Pentecost. While in the past God's Spirit appeared to be only accessible to prophets, judges, and kings, Joel envisions when the Spirit will be free to each believer. Ezekiel likewise talked about an overflowing of the Spirit (Ezekiel 39:28-29) which, some think will come after Christ returns. God’s Spirit is accessible now to any individual who calls upon the Lord (Joel 2:32).
Mercy and judgment are intricately connected. One can follow the other. Joel had said that if the people would confess their transgressions that the Lord would spare them from judgment (Joel 2:12-14). Hence, in this coming judgment and disaster, some would be spared. God wants to mend and heal broken lives, not to demolish them. We should acknowledge his salvation, or we will unquestionably face judgment with the unrepentant.
• Isaiah 4:2, In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
• Acts 2:21, And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
• Romans 10:13, For whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Repentance is an inward experience, not an outward display. The heart is what needs to be torn, not our clothes. Judgment falls unto the sinner for not accepting Christ, and unto the Christians living in sin. When a person repents and turns their hearts and lives to God, he is saying that we were under his judgment and that he was going to judge us. But because we are repentant, he will not judge us.
Church Hymnal, page 357, “Is Thy Heart Right With God?”
Have thy affections been nailed to the cross? Is thy heart right with God?
Countest thou all things for Jesus but lost? Is thy heart right with God?
Is thy heart right with God? Washed in the crimson flood,
Cleansed, and made holy, humble and lowly, right in the sight of God?
Hast thou dominion o’er self and o’er sin? Is thy heart right with God?
Over all evil without and within? Is thy heart right with God?
Is thy heart right with God? Washed in the crimson flood,
Cleansed, and made holy, humble and lowly, right in the sight of God?
Friends where do we stand today?
