There
is a great contrast between sin - “Do not trust your brothers. For
every brother is a deceiver ... and no-one speaks the truth” (Jeremiah 9:4-5) - and salvation - “the holy and faithful brothers in Christ ... the Words of truth, the Gospel ... has come to you” (Colossians 1:2,5-6).
God is calling us from sin to salvation, and then on to service. Those
who say, “I will lift up the cup of salvation” go on to say, “O Lord, I
am Your servant” (Psalm 116:13,16). This
service is offered to the Lord in gratitude for His salvation,. We
acknowledge Him as Saviour, saying, “You have freed me from my chains”,
and we say to Him, “I will sacrifice a thank-offering to You” (Psalm 116:17).
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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