The Trumpet Sounds
I have come to mark another birthday. This is day has become significant because of the reminder of “celebrating” my 60th birthday two years ago at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. While my recovery is prolonged it is good to be able to recognize progress. Today, I had a work out with Garrett my trainer at 24 Hour Fitness. I was able to walk farther with one cane than I have at any time in the past; so on my birthday, I marked another sign of progress.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“The Lord says, “Even now, come back to me with all your heart. Fast, cry, and be sad.” Tearing your clothes is not enough to show you are sad; let your heart be broken. Come back to the Lord your God,because he is kind and shows mercy. He doesn’t become angry quickly, and he has great love.” Joel 2:12,13 NCV
Joel is a short book of prophecy that opens with an alarm about how terrible the coming judgments will be on land and people. The coming condition is summarized in these words, “Our food is taken away while we watch. Joy and happiness are gone from the Temple of our God.” (Joel 1:16 NCV)
In the Old Testament the sounding of a trumpet was one of the main tools of communication. The trumpet would call to worship as well as war. The trumpet would announce the coming of the King and times of celebration. Two trumpet sounds are found in Joel, the first is to warn…warn of God’s judgment, “Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem;
shout a warning on my holy mountain. Let all the people who live in the land shake with fear, because the Lord’s day of judging is coming; it is near.” (Joel 2:1 NCV)
The Lord’s warnings have been ignored and His patience has come to an end. The people were to be prepared for the Lord who is ready to act and act in a way that will cause trembling and has never been known among the people. “The Lord’s day of judging is an overwhelming and terrible day. No one can stand up against it!” (Joel 2:11 NCV)
Then we see another trumpet sound. A trumpet sound that is a call to repentance, “Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem; call for a day when everyone fasts. Tell everyone to stop work.” (Joel 2:15 NCV) The warning of judgment is a call to repentance; true repentance. Not going through outward demonstration, but truly experiencing a change of heart, the outlasts the time of crisis. This is life altering, work stopping repentance.
Because God is a God of love, mercy and kindness; there is always hope. The prophet says, “Who knows? Maybe he will turn back to you and leave behind a blessing for you.” (Joel 2:14 NCV)
The cry that is required at this time is a “cry for mercy” a cry for God to uphold the integrity of His name by coming to rescue His people.
We see the assurance of the Lord’s response to the humble cry of repentance and mercy, “Then the Lord became concerned about his land and felt sorry for his people. He said to them: “I will send you grain, new wine, and olive oil, so that you will have plenty. No more will I shame you among the nations.” (Joel 2:18,19 NCV)
The restoration of the contrite is assured, “At that time I will pour out my Spirit also on male slaves and female slaves. I will show miracles in the sky and on the earth: blood, fire, and thick smoke…Then anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved;” (Joel 2:29,30,32)
In these short chapters we see sweeping judgment, a warning and call to repentance and the assurance of restoration. The words of Joel 2, are referenced on the Day of Pentecost recorded in the Book of Acts, we see other signs and the reference to the “Day of the Lord” as an indication of the application of these words to days yet to come.
We need to remember, awareness of God’s judgment is to be taken serious. It calls for true heart change. When that happens we find God in His mercy, forgives and restores. If people call on the Lord, then, they will be saved.” The trumpet call in the Old Testament may today be a “sound” in our hearts and minds that the Lord is using to get our attention as individuals and as a people. The right response, makes all the difference. To ignore is to be doomed; to heed and turn is to be saved and restored.