Joel 1

- The first chapter of Joel is about the word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pathuel. The Lord told Joel to tell everyone about the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. It said there that it is near and it shall be terrible… VERY terrible. 

A vast army of locusts was mentioned in verse 6. In Hebrew, the locusts here refer to a new nation. 

HOW IS THIS CHAPTER APPLICABLE TO OUR LIVES NOW?

These days, a lot of people are talking about the end of the world. However, I do not, I mean, I cannot completely agree with the prediction that the world will end next year. Yes, the Bible might mention how near it is but Jesus also said that only our Father in Heaven knows when the world will end. When Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:6-9), the apostles asked Him when He will return and restore the kingdom of God. Jesus answered that the Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times and those details are NOT for us to know. 

THEN WHY DOES THE BIBLE OFTEN MENTIONS THAT IT IS NEAR?

I believe that God revealed to me that He talks about how near it is because He wants us to live like it is the last day of our lives. Try living everyday as if it is your last day and see how different everything would be, how better your days would be, how important every little details would be and how it would affect every people around you in a wonderful way. 

THE LORD SAID…

On the days of the destruction, cry out to the Lord. (Joel 1:14 and 19)

In the same way, we just need to cry out to God everyday and try to live our lives according to His will.

How beautiful it is to have the Bible tell us how we should live our lives.