Day 305 Bible Readings - Joel 2: 12-13 (ESV)

Joel 1, Joel 2: 1-17, Hebrews 3, Proverbs 11: 9-18

Joel 2: 12-13 (ESV)

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

Verses 12 and 13 from Joel 2 shows Joel telling the southern Kingdom of Judah to repent because we have a gracious God. Joel doesn’t say repent and return to God because if you do not, he will punish you. Instead, Joes tell us God will be merciful and heal us because he is slow to anger and loves us. These verses remind me of the parable of the Prodigal son. When the son returned, the father celebrated his return. God will treat us in the same way. When we realize what we’ve done wrong and repented with action, God will celebrate our return and love us. God may also relent over his judgement over us. Joel reminds us not be afraid of acknowledging when we’ve done wrong and coming back to God. God loves as a father loves a child, and he will celebrate the return of his prodigal child.

Day 304 Bible Readings – Obadiah 1: 15 (ESV)

Obadiah 1, Hebrews 2, Proverbs 10: 31-32, Proverbs 11: 1-8

Obadiah 1: 15 (ESV)

“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.”

When I read verse 15 from Obadiah 1, I was reminded of Jesus’ words from the sermon on the mount – “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7: 12 (ESV)) Jesus studied the Old Testament and knew it well. I love that the teachings of Christ reflected what he learned from the Old Testament, so when we read the Old Testament we are constantly reminded of what Jesus said in his teachings. Christ unified the Old and New Testament in his teachings and reflected what he tried to do in his life before he was crucified. We can read about the power of God in the Old and New Testament from prophets like Obadiah and in teachings of Christ.

Day 303 Bible Readings – Proverbs 10: 22 (ESV)

Lamentations 3: 40-66, Lamentations 4-5, Hebrews 1, Proverbs 10: 21-30

Proverbs 10: 22 (ESV)

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

I like verse 22 from Proverbs 10. Solomon tells us when you have the blessing of the Lord and it brings you wealth, no sorrow comes with it. I think this happens because it means you have discerned the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and you have followed God’s plan for you and your life. The Bible tells us that God wants the people who have faith in him to have a life of abundance, and when you follow his guidance abundance will come to you. I know for myself that it is so hard to sometimes follow God’s guidance because it seems so contrary to what I thought was right for my life. But God had a plan and when I followed what he wanted even though I was full of skepticism, my life turned out better and I became more abundant. And when I didn’t, my life went sideways. So now I try to follow God’s advice, even though it’s not always easy and sometimes I am kicking and screaming and gritting my teeth as I do what God asks me to do. But I know if I don’t, then I will have sorrow in my life.

Day 302 Bible Readings – Lamentations 3: 26-29 (ESV)

Lamentations 2: 7-27, Lamentations 3: 1-39, Philemon 1, Proverbs 10: 11-20

Lamentations 3: 26-29 (ESV)

“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust—there may yet be hope;”

Verses 26 through 29 from Lamentations 3 appealed to me when I read through the commentaries for these verses. The prophet Jeremiah found hope in remembering the faithfulness of God even in a season of trouble and affliction. Even when you are in despair, Jeremiah says you can sit quietly and find hope in the faithfulness of God. Pastor David Guzik in his commentary wrote, “Under adversity, it is best to not try and figure everything out right away. These are good times for reflection (sit alone) and listening rather than speaking. In this patient seeking of God, there is reason for hope.”

I know for myself I hate waiting, even for God. I want everything done right away, and when I have to wait I always think that I did something wrong which caused the delay. But I am learning that God is waiting to see what my response is to a season of trouble. Do I turn to God or away from him? Can I wait patiently for God and try to discern what his plan is for my next steps? Or do I give up and want to do things my own way because God hasn’t answered me? I know God is teaching me to live in the present during such times; to take everything one day at a time so I can discern his plan for my life. The waiting is hard, but I know God is patient with me and I am learning to reflect on all the good things God has done for in the past to keep my home on his faithfulness.