One sign of prosperity is shown through the consumption of alcohol. This is evident in the large number of beer commercial on TV and on internet. Moreover, statistically, fifty percent of adults are regular drinker. Today’s passage highlights a similar situation in the day of Joel, who was likely a prophet around the time of Solomon and slightly after, when Israel was prosperous.
Commentary:
Joel 1:1-3. A calamity just happened in the land of Judah. God has called on Joel to be His prophet. Joel would declare to the people what the meaning of this plague was and what people should do.
The severity of the plague was unprecedented. Its unparalleled devastation was to jolt people out of their comfort zone. Its impact was meant to last generations and generations.
Joel 1:5. People of God needed to wake up from their spiritual slumber. Prosperity had caused them to move away from God. The Jews at the time of Joel indulged on the consumption of alcohol, like our present day. They needed a spiritual revival, and spiritual revival began with life change. They need to start with the renunciation of their indulgence.
Joel 1:9. The devastation of the plague affected the religious ceremony as well. The shortage of food and wine caused the grain and drink offerings to cease. This served as a good warning to the religious leaders to not be complacent. When they failed to forewarn people of their precarious spiritual state, they too would suffer. God would punish them for failing to lead people to follow God faithfully.
Joel 1:13-14. Joel called on the priests and the ministers of God to lead a revival. They would call on the leaders and the people to repent. Repentance was expressed through the outward actions of fasting and praying.
Meditation:
Wine is not the only indulgence our society has. We have drug, expensive toys, gaming, endless music and video entertainment, and so for and so on. This rampant materialistic enjoyment is not only a sign of prosperity but also the lack of focus in God in people’s life.
What the society enjoys can affect Christians as well. We can lose our focus in God and become entrapped by the things our society has to offer. Two other common effects are the stagnation of our spiritual growth and our lack of motivation to pass down our faith to the next generation. We become complacent to counter the influence of the world. We let its values seep into our life, our home, and our church. Gradually, Christians of the next generation can become like the rest of the world.
Lay leaders and pastors have the responsibility to guard this deterioration. Let’s imitate Joel to call on the people of God to repent of sins. Let’s lead in the spiritual discipline of fasting and praying. Let’s practice Christian living at church and at home.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for sending calamity to warn us. We pray that we and all people of God will wake up from our spiritual slumber. We pray that we be the light of this world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
My husband is an alcoholic, even though he is a Christian, he is also in denial that there is a problem. I read your devotion and information as well as repeated the prayer. I appreciate areas as your to come to and receive more than statics …more of what is a godly solution. Thank God for your ministry. would like to know of a christian site to receive support.
Comment by sally Neumann — June 19, 2010 @ 7:00 am