We are so very blessed by this message from Pastor Rick Frederickson!!! God Bless you Pastor Rick and Sue!
War, judgement, promise and hope
It feels like we have been through a great war – a pandemic war. It continues, but we see new hope, and a light at the end of a tunnel.
There has been much damage from this pandemic war. Homes and lives were destroyed, there are lingering physical and mental health issues, and there has been loss of loss of economic status, opportunity and education. There has been loss of loved ones and the loss of relationships we cherish. Lives have been altered permanently.
In many ways it seems as though God’s very judgement has been upon us. Listen to these words from the Prophet Joel as he prophesized about a time such as this:
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. – Joel 2:1-2
Days of darkness and gloom? Days of clouds and blackness, the like we have never seen?
Joel uses a plague of locusts to describe a coming plague of war that will destroy Judah. His message to them? Repent. In Joel 1: 5-14 we read words like wake up! Mourn, despair, grieve and wither. Declare a Holy fast and call to the Lord.
His promise? When we repent, God will show us compassion and pity.
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing.” – Joel 2:12-14
And these very words from Joel were quoted by Peter at Pentecost. “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” – Joel 2:28
What an incredible promise from God! And His promises do not stop there, because God promises a bright and hopeful future:
“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias. -Joel 3:17-18
I pray that this pandemic is ending. It is not over yet. But God declares “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
As followers of Christ Jesus and believers in the Word of God, we can be confident in God’s promises. And we can be confident that God will claim final victory through Jesus Christ. God has already given victory to all who repent and believe in Jesus as their savior.
Jesus has sent the advocate, the helper – the Holy Spirit – to us at Pentecost. He told us, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
We must be a Pentecost people – led by the Holy Spirit. A people of repentance, prayer; deeply rooted in Christ. We must work to build His Kingdom. We must seek justice, kindness, peace and goodness for all. We must share His Gospel with others.
I pray that we are a Pentecost people, led by the Holy Spirit in all truth. And I pray that God bless each of you as you declare God’s truth to one another and to all the world as you build His kingdom. To God be all power and glory, forever and ever. Amen
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Rick Frederickson, Pastor
