Joel 3:1-2

January 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land” (Joel 3:1-2).

These two verses prompt 2 different and opposite responses from me. First, I say hallelujah to the idea that God will restore Judah and Jerusalem. 

Second, I say yikes to the idea that God will gather the nations for judgment because they have scattered the people and divided the land. The US is currently pushing a two-state solution to the conflict. This is a peace plan that divides the land and will bring judgment on all the nations involved. 

Father, thank you for your kindness and your faithfulness. There is none like you. Amen. 

Filed Under: covanent, devotional thoughts, Joel, Land Promises, Old Testament

Joel 2:25

January 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25).

This is one of my favorite verses, offering hope of restoration. Here, the Lord is offering to undo the damage done by the locusts in chapter one. Chapter one focused on Israel’s disobedience. Chapter two focuses on repentance. Notice the order: Chapter one is bad news. Chapter two is good news. 

“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; and he relents over disaster.” (2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬)

Through Joel, God is calling Judah to turn their hearts back to him. I believe this call to repentance demonstrates consistency between the OT and NT. 

Two happy reminders from Joel chapter two:

1. God restores sinners who repent. 
2. God is consistent. 

Father, thank you for offering restoration and for being consistent. These things give me hope and encouragement. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Israel, Joel, Restoring Israel

Joel 1:2-4

January 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation. What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten” (Joel 1:2-4).

Joel opens his letter with a call to the elders and everyone else to listen. So often, we think it is someone else’s job to listen to God’s word. Here, Joel calls on everyone to listen. Then, he used a historical event to make a spiritual truth/warning that should be passed on from generation to generation. 

During our first winter in Missouri, the weather forecast called for ice/sleet over the course of a few days. We weren’t alarmed by the weather forecast. We were alarmed by the reaction to it. Chatter started around town about the bad weather coming and that everyone should be prepared. The stores started running low on essentials, and every generator in town was purchased. Finally, we were told about the cause of the panic: Nine years before our arrival, an ice storm came through Springfield, taking down trees and power lines. Some parts of the city were without power for three weeks … in January! No wonder people were panicked. Now, 20 years after the initial ice storm, people still react to ice warnings because the story has been passed down, generation to generation. 

Joel reminded the people of an event they had passed, in which the locusts took it all:

“What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten.”

He is using the locust event to encourage the people to repent and walk with the Lord lest his judgment come. And God’s judgment will be far worse than a locust plague. 

Father, please help me to see my own heart and repent of any sin that lingers. I feel like I’m in the middle of the locust swarm right now, so this word picture hits close. Please, Father, bless me with strong faith and a pure heart. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Joel, Old Testament, Word Pictures

Hosea 14:1, 4

January 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity” (Hosea 14:1).

“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them” (Hosea 14:4‬).

Just when one thinks unbelieving Israel is a lost cause, God shows His heart. Just when one thinks God has rebuked Israel to the point of exhaustion, God shows His heart. Just when it seems that Israel has finally gone too far into idolatry, God shows His heart. 

In my mind, this book has offered sharper rebukes of Israel than other books. So sharp, in fact, at times it felt like God had tossed Israel aside. Yet, the opening section where God told Hosea to take a wife of whoredom, and to take her back each time she left with another man, should have been a clue that God was not through with Israel. If that wasn’t enough to help me believe that God is not done with Israel, this last chapter should do the trick. 

First, God shows His heart when He calls Israel to repent. “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity” (1). God desires to forgive and restore Israel. 

Second, God says what will happen if Israel repents. “I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them” (4‬).

This consistency gives me hope that God will forgive and restore me when I sin. 

Father, thank you for your kindness and mercy. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Hosea, idolatry, Old Testament, Restoring Israel

Hosea 13:4

December 31, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.” (Hosea 13:4)

On the heels of saying, “And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver” (13‬:‭2‬), “Besides me, there is no savior!” is an important and exclusive statement. God is attacking their idolatry by pointing out that he is the only savior. No matter how much silver or how finely crafted, idols cannot save. God alone can save!

Isaiah echoes this same exclusive claim: “I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” (Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭11‬)

“… And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.” (Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭21‬)

Jesus claimed to be the exclusive way to the Father: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬)

Peter made the connection between Jesus and Isaiah 43:11, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬)

Paul made the connection even clearer in his letter to Titus, … “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬)

There is one true and living God and salvation is found only in Him. If we look anywhere else, we will come up empty-handed. If we look to anyone else, we will come up empty-handed. 

Father, please help me recognize your glory in your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Filed Under: Acts, Hosea, idolatry, Isaiah, John, Old Testament, Titus
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