"Multitudes, multitudes are in the valley of decision, For near is the day of Jehovah in the valley of decision" (Joel 3:14).
Here the Prophet Joel speaks of a call to the people of God; a call to repentance. A great multitude is in the valley of decisions, the harvest is plenty. A call goes out to the great warriors; "consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up" (Joel 3:9). Even let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”
I know what God is not. This is the nature of deception; you don't know your deceived. When we experience God on a level we have never experienced before it makes us question our understanding of him. God slowly renews our minds and shows himself; for me a Godly love has come from the weak things of this world, from the homeless, and the fatherless. Our heavenly father loves us, he never abandons us, his love is so great he laid down his life for us. The church when it is working properly builds itself up in Love (Ephesians 4:16). If not then something is wrong.
I am reminded of the parable Jesus told, “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:1--14).
It is time to consecrate for war, multitudes are in the valley of decision. How will I help them decide, what will they see in me, will they see God or a Pharisee? Will I have a burden for them, will I see what God sees, feel what he feels, hear what he hears? Will I intercede in prayer for others, will I stand in the gap? Will I sacrifice my life for someone else? Will we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God?
“Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;" (Joel 2:12-13).
"And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast. You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet..." Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns
Here the Prophet Joel speaks of a call to the people of God; a call to repentance. A great multitude is in the valley of decisions, the harvest is plenty. A call goes out to the great warriors; "consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up" (Joel 3:9). Even let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”
I know what God is not. This is the nature of deception; you don't know your deceived. When we experience God on a level we have never experienced before it makes us question our understanding of him. God slowly renews our minds and shows himself; for me a Godly love has come from the weak things of this world, from the homeless, and the fatherless. Our heavenly father loves us, he never abandons us, his love is so great he laid down his life for us. The church when it is working properly builds itself up in Love (Ephesians 4:16). If not then something is wrong.
I am reminded of the parable Jesus told, “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:1--14).
It is time to consecrate for war, multitudes are in the valley of decision. How will I help them decide, what will they see in me, will they see God or a Pharisee? Will I have a burden for them, will I see what God sees, feel what he feels, hear what he hears? Will I intercede in prayer for others, will I stand in the gap? Will I sacrifice my life for someone else? Will we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God?
“Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;" (Joel 2:12-13).
"And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast. You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet..." Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns