READ Joel 2
Judgment is coming for the sins of the people, but after repentance, they will be
restored.

INSIGHT
Joel predicts a locust plague to come upon the land of Judah, which is both primary and secondary as a prophetic warning. The primary meaning is a literal locust plague. But the things Joel says about the locusts gradually transcend what could be true of mere bugs and could only be true of an invading army. In this way, the locust plague becomes symbolic of an invading army swarming over the land of Judah, stripping it of everything that has life. The warning of the plague comes because Judah is failing to serve the Lord. Joel holds out an escape: “Turn to Me with all your heart . . . rend your heart and not your garments” (vv. 12-13). Judah ignores the warning and the judgment eventually falls. Sin always has its consequences.

PRAYER
Give your praise to the Lord that He always warns us of the consequences of sin and gives us a means of escape:
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.  
I will boast in the Lord;  
The humble will hear and be glad.  
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;  
Let us exalt his name together.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.  
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!  
(Psalm 34:1-3, 8).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Against you — you alone — I have sinned
And done this evil in your sight.  
So you are right when you pass sentence;
You are blameless when you judge
(Psalm 51:4).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater faithfulness with your finances
• Revival among Christians in the United States
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).