Justice Will Be Served

Scripture Text: Joel 3:1-16

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Joel 3:14, ESV

Philip Ryken, senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, tells of the time he was leading his family in a study of the books of Kings. He read about the death of wicked King Ahab and how his evil wife Jezebel was thrown to her death from a parapet. As he described how the wild dogs licked up Ahab’s blood and devoured Jezebel’s flesh, his four-year-old son let out a spontaneous cheer. “Frankly, I was shocked,” Ryken writes. “Ahab and Jezebel met such bloody ends, it hardly seemed right to celebrate. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized God’s victory is something to cheer about.”

Joel’s purpose in today’s passage was to give God’s beleaguered people something to cheer about; one very reliable truth about God as how He manifested Himself all throughout the generations. Although things looked hopeless, the prophet promised them that a time was coming when God would judge their enemies. He predicted that this would take place at a time when the Lord would “restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem” (Joel 3:1). At that time, all the Gentile nations that had gloated over Judah’s destruction and exile would be gathered together for judgment in “the Valley of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:2). The name of this valley, which literally means “Jehovah judges” or “Jehovah has judged,” appears to be symbolic. It is also called “the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14). And while Him doing so, He was and will continue to be the refuge and stronghold of His people (Joel 3:16).

God definitely served justice to those who opposed Him as enemies to His people, and He protected them like a strong wall by which they were protected behind it specially those who had placed their hope in Him.

Reflect

1. Have you been hurt or mistreated by someone who does not know Christ?

2. Do you receive such hurt and mistreatment because of your faith in Christ at the moment?

3. Do you feel hopeless about it?

Remember

Cheer up, the situation is not hopeless. Be assured that God will hold them accountable for what they have done and are doing to you because of your faith in Christ and in Him, you always will be strengthened and protected.

However, pray for them for this is the will of Christ to those who believe-follow Him.

Read

Psalm 37:13-20; 1 Peter 3:7; Revelation 19:11; Psalm 91:1-2; Proverbs 18:10; Matthew 5:44

Pray

Dear LORD, let me be reminded that when I am mistreated and hurt because of my faith in Your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it is a reason for me to cheer up; for it is a mark that I am truly His believer-follower. Let it not also be a reason of despair nor hopelessness, for You have promised that You will serve justice and You will be there to protect me as always. Make my heart instead be compassionate and pray for them because they too need Your mercy and grace. This I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.