There is a great similarity between Job’s ‘comforters’ and the
Pharisees. Job’s ‘comforters’ say, “Should God then reward you on your
terms, when you refuse to repent? … Job speaks without knowledge; his
words lack insight … To his sin, he adds rebellion … and multiplies his
words against God” (Job 34:33-37). To the Pharisees, Jesus says, “Woe to
you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the
door of the Kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not
enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to” (Matthew
23:13-14). There is, however, a better way – “You save the humble but
bring low those whose eyes are haughty” (Psalm 18:27).
There is to be prayer from “every one who lives in the land” (Joel 1:14). It is to be personal prayer - “O Lord, I cry to You for help!” (Joel 1:19). These two belong together - prayer for the nation and personal prayer. This is expressed so well in the words: “O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee. Send a revival. Start the work in me.” We hear the words, “Return to the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:13). They are followed by some wonderful words about the character of God - “He is merciful and compassionate, patient and always ready to forgive and to change His plans about disaster” (Joel 2:13). How do we know that God is like this? We look at what He has done for us - “Be glad and rejoice. The Lord has done great things!” (Joel 2:21). Looking at all that the Lord has done for us, we trust His promise: “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). This salvation is more than forgiveness for past sins. It’s more than the future glory of being in God’s ev...
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