May 20 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

From start to finish the little book of Joel is about God. This prophecy proclaims what Joel’s name means: Yahweh is God. The Lord God sent a locust plague so that His people would turn to Him and trust His direction. God sent trouble so they would learn to live out of His fatherly hand and would see that calamity comes on those who have no regard for His ways. There is a sense of urgency throughout this prophecy. Joel is told to sound the trumpet! The Lord is coming as judge! This message is to be proclaimed to adults and children.

Joel has a particular concern for the well-being of the children. In chapter 1:2-3 he says, “Hear this, you elders, give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell your children about it, let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.” When Joel calls the people to gather together for a solemn assembly he once again has a special interest in the children. The little infants are also included (2:15-16).

Why are the children included? What do they need to hear? First of all, the children are to be taught the mighty acts of God in the history of the world. They need to be told about God’s deeds as experienced by families and individuals. In this way they will have a firm foundation to their lives—also in times of trouble. Secondly, our children need to know the promises of God so that when they encounter hardships and when they are frustrated by what they experience, they return to the Lord. Our children need to remember that relying on the Lord requires restructuring of priorities. In the third place, they need to learn that the LORD is a refuge to His people; He is the strength of children (3:16). He is our support when all earthly securities crumble to the ground.

The Lord dwells in Zion. He gives adults and children confidence for the future. He provides the promise of the forgiveness of sins (3:21). The Lord has news for the children and we must tell them about it! Make sure they are with you in the congregation of God’s people so that they can hear what God is telling them.