Moses calls to the people, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me” (Exodus 33:26). Jesus also invites His apostles to “come” - “Come with Me ... to a quiet place” (Mark 6:31).
To come with Jesus to a quiet place is not to discover a place of
permanent tranquility. Jesus and His apostles were soon surrounded by “a
large crowd” - “The number of the man ... was five thousand” (Mark 6:34,44).
Jesus takes us to “the quiet place” so that we may receive strength for
the task of bringing the Bread of Life to those who are learning to
pray the prayer of the Psalmist: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me Your
paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Saviour”
(Psalm 25:4-5).
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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