“Yet even now”—it is a declaration of ADONAI [the LORD]—“turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting. Rend your heart, not your garments, and turn to ADONAI [the LORD], your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abundant in mercy, and relenting about the calamity due.” Joel 2:12-13, TLV
Revival and the Day of the LORD. Have you ever read the book of Joel? It’s only four chapters, but it is packed with insights. It reads a lot like the book of Revelation sometimes — no coincidence there. Yet, there is so much more.
The term “Day of the LORD” is sprinkled freely throughout the book. There are several meanings for the “Day of the LORD.” One is the day of judgment.
Blow the shofar in Zion!
Sound an alarm on My holy mountain!
Let all living in the land tremble—
for the day of ADONAI is coming—
surely it is near! (vs. 1, TLV)
At the beginning of the chapter, the Day of the LORD means judgment. It’s a warning. God is giving Judah a chance to repent. Hence, today’s verse to fast and repent.
The Other Type of “Day of ADONAI”
“I shall restore to you the years
that the locust, the swarming locust,
the canker-worm and the caterpillar have eaten—
My great army that I sent among you.”
“You will surely eat and be satisfied,
and praise the Name of ADONAI your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you. (vss. 25-26, TLV)
Then there is the other type of Day of the LORD. The day of repentance and redemption and GOD’s restoration.
“In that day …”
“ … so that in the Day of Messiah you may be sincere and blameless, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:10b-11, TLV
Because of our Heavenly Father’s love, He longed for our redemption before He spoke the world into existence. He gave His only Son up as a sacrifice, not so we could do what we wanted as His redeemed children, but so that we would heed the declaration of ADONAI and turn to Him. It’s a clarion to His people.
Revival Today?
A few weeks ago, Bob and I were visiting friends when their phones chimed like church bells. Their daughter attends Asbury College and she excitedly proclaimed, “Revival is happening! Now!” She had attended a regular chapel service when it just broke out. Throughout our visit, she gave exciting updates.
Today it not only continues, but has spread to Chicago, California, Louisiana, and who knows where else.
Bob and I were beneficiaries of the revival of the 1970s that broke out in Asbury and spread California and eventually to St. Louis. Why do I say beneficiaries? Because that is true revival. We changed—we turned away from our selfish and sinful life and dedicated our lives to Him. Worship was as natural as breathing because we were in such awe of His majesty and glory and mercy.
Will the 2023 Asbury revival produce lasting fruit? Of course. Any time there is worship, repentance, and turning from sin, fruit will come. With everyone? Probably not. But perhaps seeds were planted and will later bear fruit.
Redemption through revival is a powerful thing, but redemption any time—even in the quiet of our own home or car—is awesome, too.
Even when we think we’re unredeemable, especially at that emotional moment of revelation, we can turn to Him in repentance. And He is there with open arms. Like the Father of the prodigal in Luke 15, He runs to us. He will run to us. He’s running now.
