"... For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:14

Think back for a moment to the last time you were anticipating a special day.  A big family vacation.  Graduation day.  The last day of school.  Your child's birthday.  Christmas morning.

  Special days filled with wonder, adventure, spontaneity, honor, blessing, and love are priceless.  They create the memories that bind us with loved ones as years go by.  But these seem like nothing compared to a very special day that all believers of Jesus Christ anticipate – Joel calls it "the day of the Lord" (Joel 3:14).  Joel goes on to say that in that day "the Lord will be a shelter for His people…" (Joel 3:16).  What a wonderful mental picture it is to be one day sheltered by the Lord!  God promised to restore Judah and bring about a time of unparalleled material and spiritual blessing (Joel 2:18-32; 3:18-21).

If we belong to Christ, we can look forward to that day of the Lord with great anticipation.  It will be a day like no other!  With this coming day we can rejoice together as we "praise the name of the Lord” (2:26) because "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward…" (Psalms 19:9-11).

Take time today to rejoice in knowing that the coming of the Lord is one day closer! 

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: Joel 3
• Tuesday: Psalms 19
• Wednesday: Hebrews 12:1
• Thursday: 1 Peter 1:13
• Friday: 2 Peter 1:10-11
• Saturday: Hosea 12:6
• Sunday: Romans 8:35-39