SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: February, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Jessica Hatton:

God calls us to mourn our losses, but also for them to drive us back to repentance and worship. 

As we begin this new year, I imagine for most of us there is a temptation to put the last year in the rearview mirror and forget about it to the best of our ability. 2020 was a tough year to say the least. 

For many of us, there has been a complete reversal of our daily routine and schedules, loss of community, struggles with isolation, loss of jobs, loss of finances, and for some even deaths of family and or friends. And to make matters worse, it has become increasingly apparent that 2020 revealed cracks and divides in the church that have for too long gone unnoticed or ignored. 

The book of Joel opens up describing a recent invasion of locusts that has completely destroyed the crops. So much so that it seems no one alive has ever seen a devastation to this extent (1:3). The effects of the destruction are not limited to just the fields.  Because the fields are destroyed, the animals cannot graze-- causing them to starve.  Without crops, there can be no wine or oil. 

Being that there is no grain, wine, or oil, the sacrificial offerings made to the Lord have diminished or disappeared completely. Amid all this destruction, Joel calls the people to mourn, not only for what they as a people have lost, but more importantly, the effect that the loss has on the worship of God. 

Joel goes on to predict another future destruction that is coming, but notice the importance of 2:12-13. Joel calls the people to return to the Lord with all their hearts for He is gracious and merciful and relents from disaster. Not only does God relent when His people repent, but His desire is to bless His people and to restore them the lost years. 

It’s easy for us to be bitter, lonely, or even angry with the way this past year turned out. But let us not focus so much on our own discomfort that we miss the opportunity the Lord has given us to allow the Spirit to convict us, drawing us to repentance and worship. 

Lastly, it’s important to note that in 1:3, Joel tells the older community members to instruct their children and future generations. Let’s make sure we use this past year as a teaching tool for our children. They are watching us closely to see how we respond to crisis. Let us model and remind them daily that we focus our eyes on the Lord and His provisions. 

Lord, I know that for many, the past year has left deep scars. I pray that these women would allow themselves time to mourn their losses. I pray they would surrender to You and that You would provide comfort and Your steadfast love. I pray repentance would bring them to worship and that Your glory would be revealed in our weaknesses. Empower us to tell others of Your unending faithfulness.  Amen.