As you read this in America, mid-term election results are most likely in and you’re probably either very happy, or really not. I used to call myself an “armchair commentator,” watching news and paying attention to current events and giving my thoughts on it.

Since 2020, I definitely keep my eye on current events, but I’ve felt God turn that interest into intercession. There are certain words (launch, reset, awakening, for example) He has given me to pray on, as well as time frames and seasons. To be obedient, I backed away from watching the news and have tried to hear His thoughts on global matters.

I do believe the mid-terms are important not just for history, but for eternity. Whatever the results reveal, I believe God has used past results and what’s happening now to bring about His purposes and plans. My sense in prayer is that time is up for individuals to sit on the fence when it comes to what and Who they put their trust in. The time to say one thing and do another will no longer be tolerated. The church will not be in slumber.

And our response is everything.

I recently finished teaching on Hosea and that was a challenging experience. That’s a hard book to market, honestly. Now I’m in Joel, and I believe the circumstances in Joel aren’t much different than today. Our reaction is key. His promises are the same.

Let’s take a look at Joel 2:21-27, NIV, courtesy of Bible Gateway:

    Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
    be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things!
²²     Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
    for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
    the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
²³ Be glad, people of Zion,
    rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
    because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
    both autumn and spring rains, as before.
²⁴ The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
    the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

²⁵ “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
    the great locust and the young locust,
    the other locusts and the locust swarm^[a]—
my great army that I sent among you.
²⁶ You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
    and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
    who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
²⁷ Then you will know that I am in Israel,
    that I am the Lord your God,
    and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.

Joel 2:21-27, NIV, Bible Gateway

No matter who has been in leadership the last couple years, times have been hard. I don’t have to list why because you’ve most likely attended a funeral or struggled to pay something as much as I have. But in Joel and throughout His Word, we see that we are to rejoice. We are reminded He has done great things, even and especially in hard times. Reading on, He promises to repay for all the locusts have eaten. I don’t know what that looks like, but I know He is not a liar. God has our back. He goes before us. He surrounds us. I am so thankful for that.

This Thanksgiving season, I want to proclaim He has done great things. In my life, my family is healthy. Our child with special health needs has been virus free. She’s attending college and planning to go on a missions trip. Our son graduated, got married, and is teaching, knowing his position is a ministry to offer Christ’s light in a dark world. My husband has a job he loves. Who says that these days? Not many. But we have daily provision, and I don’t take that for granted. We have our Wisconsin children who are healthy and have daily provision, and our grandchildren are healthy and loved. I am able to share the amazing things Jesus is and has done in my life in writing and in person. Not everyone has that.

So where are you? Are you all in for Jesus and what He’s asking of you? Is your response to the last few years or even last night full of bitterness and complaint or thanksgiving? Can you list the ways the Lord has been good to you?

I’m so glad we can connect here at Christians Read. I pray you hold tight to His robe and be ready for the rest of Joel 2 to play out.

Image: Heartlight.org