Joel

The book of Joel isn't the happiest book of the Bible. Not much in known about Joel, who is one of the minor prophets. Not many people quote scripture from the book of Joel, except for 2:28-29, which is a very powerful piece of scripture. "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my spirit." Every pentecostal loves a good Jesus outpouring.

But I think that most people overlook the power of this book. Its packed with redemption. Chapter one starts with an invasion of locusts and moves into a call for repentance in the land. Not much is really known about Joel. But at the end of chapter two the Lord shows pity. Verse 18 says "Then the Lord became jealous for His land and had pity on his poeple." He then declares that he will send them grain, wine, and oil; he will satisfy them. How beautiful is that! We don't deserve squat. But yet he simply calls us to him, there may be correction involved, but regardless, the fact that he even wants us is amazing. The whole flow of the book just reaveals a lot about God.

Another thing I love about Joel is that it reassures that the true Christian walk is not a simple one. We will, without a doubt face trials and hard times. Chapter 2:12 "Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and render your hearts and not your garments." This goes hand in hand with "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." The fact of the matter is that God is an angry God, AND a loving God. He is just as much the lion as He is the Lamb.