the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Joel 3:1-21
The restoration of Judah and Jerusalem will be followed by the judgment of the nations. These will then make a tragic discovery: in scattering Israel, and in sharing out her country (v. 2 end), they have attacked God Himself "What have ye to do with me?" is the terrible question that comes down from heaven (v. 4). Saul of Tarsus also had to learn that in persecuting the Christians he was persecuting the Lord. Jesus (Acts 9:4-5).
The situation will be totally reversed; these nations will experience the fate they have brought upon God’s people. Their "recompense" will fall on their own head; this is one of the unchangeable principles of God’s government (see Genesis 9:6; Judges 1:7 etc.) Totally blinded, these nations in forging their weapons will thereby have created their own downfall. Then the sovereign Judge will call them together to the very place of their devastation (vv. 9-12). "Multitudes in the valley of decision"! (v. 14). This dreadful "wine harvest" will constitute the last act to introduce the day of the LORD (Revelation 14:18-20). Henceforth grace will be able to super-abound for a cleansed people (v. 21). And because they will be purified, the supreme favour: God Himself will establish His dwelling in the midst of them.
