22 February 2009

Text: Joel 2

“TURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART”

(I) THE CONCEPT OF “THE DAY OF THE LORD”

1. Physical Description of “The Day of the LORD”

“A day of darkness and gloominess…” Joel 2:2a

“…A day of clouds and thick darkness…” Joel 2:2b

2. Prominent idea behind “The Day of the LORD”

“Alas for the day!
For the day of the LORD is at hand;
It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.” Joel 1:15

a) It is a day of destruction!

b) It is a day to be dreaded!

c) It is “at hand” (Joel 1:15; 2:1)

(II) PRAYING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DAY OF THE LORD

1. Divine Admonition from the Lord Himself concerning our prayers

“Now, therefore, says the LORD,
‘Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping and with mourning.’ ” Joel 2:12

a) Turning to the Lord with a whole heart

b) Seeking the Lord in appropriate expressions

i) Fasting

ii) Weeping

iii) Mourning

2. Direct human Advice from the prophet Joel

“So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.” Joel 2:13

a) Response from a Genuine heartfelt

Rending of the heart (Joel 2:13)

b) Rejection of mere external religious expression

Rending of the garments (Joel 2:13)

c) Returning to the Lord

Acknowledgment of having departed from the Lord

d) Reliance on knowledge of God (Reminiscent of Exodus 34:6-7)

i) God is gracious (Joel 2:13)

ii) He is merciful (Joel 2:13)

iii) He is slow to anger (Joel 2:13)

iv) He is of great kindness (Joel 2:13)

v) He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:13)

(III) PRAYING IN HUMBLE HOPE

“Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him…” Joel 2:14

1. Presumption must be avoided at all costs

a) God’s forgiveness is not to be taken for granted

b) God’s favourable response is not to be assumed

2. Praying with a deep sense of hope

a) Praying in humble hope that God might relent

b) Praying in humble hope that God might still leave a blessing behind