Caution: Danger Ahead
We had another good day today. I was able to get out and plant my garden. I was actually surprise how hard some of the soil was in some spots. This is the first garden I have planted in about 20 years. We will see how it goes.
I did attend a lunch with some minister friends. It was the last monthly meeting of this kind until next fall. It is always good to connect with friends that I don’t have a chance to see too often.
My day ended with another trip to the Chiropractor and getting a review of a treatment plan for the next 90 days. I believe this something can really help.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But even now,” says the Lord, “repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning. Let your broken heart show your sorrow……Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.” Joel 2:12,13
I have come to be more aware of the Lord’s long suffering, mercy, grace and forgiveness than anytime in my life. Being “near death” and spending a few months on your back in a hospital looking up to the ceiling provides an opportunity to reassess and evaluate life. What you believe about yourself, what you believe about the Lord.
However, God’s holiness and righteousness does call for action and judgment. Judgment delayed, doesn’t mean judgment avoided if we don’t turn to the Lord. The Bible is clear about a judgment day. We see “that day” is referred to in the Old Testament as the “Day of the Lord.” Here is how Joel describes it, “The day of the Lord is coming soon.
It will be a dark and gloomy day, a black and cloudy day.…like darkness spreading over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, and there never will be again.“ (Joel 2:2) The “Day of the Lord” is described as “great and terrible.” (Joel 2:31) It is a day when all creation is thrown into chaos, bringing fear on all who live.
The Bible records these words as warnings, to help us understand the ways of the Lord and to see these predictions of coming judgment as “warning signs” on the road of life. Have you ever ignored a sign the read, “Dead End” or “No Outlet.” I have! I have always found the signs are correct and I waste time and effort and come to the verge of risking my life by ignoring them. Those warnings signs are there to get our attention and for us to change our course.
That is why in the midst of prophecies about coming judgment and the “wrath of God” – There are pleas to repent (change direction) and return to the Lord and experience His forgiveness and life. Joel says, “…He is always ready to forgive.” That is amazing love and grace. But to experience it, the warning signs must not be ignored.
Consider these verses with the signs of the end and the opportunity to turn to the Lord….
“I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke.
The sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
But all who ask the Lord for help will be saved.” (Joel 2:30-32)
It is never too late, but a response is necessary before it is too late. That is why Scripture says, “…today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Keep your heart always open to the Lord and discover the gracious God who, yes, one day will bring judgment, but “is always ready to forgive and not punish.”