The
wilderness years were not easy. The pathway from Egypt (the land of
oppression) to Canaan (the land of promise) was not an easy pathway. For
Jesus, the pathway between Bethlehem and Calvary was not easy. Jesus’
suffering did not begin at Calvary. There was suffering from the very
beginning of His life. Herod tried to kill Him when He was still a baby.
Early on in His ministry, Jesus faced opposition from “the Pharisees
and the teachers of the law. They ”were looking for a way to accuse”
Him. They “began to discuss with one another what they might do to
Jesus” (Luke 6:7,11). Life,
for the believer, may not be paved with the gold of this world, but we
are learning to live in the light of heaven’s values: “Choose My
instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for
wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare
with her” (Proverbs 8:10-11).
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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