Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
In chapter 3, Joel imagines a hypothetical place called the ‘Valley of Jehoshaphat’, meaning the ‘valley of decision/judgement’ (verses 2 and 14). God will gather all the nations there – the time for people to decide will be over; God will have the final say.
Joel repeatedly contrasts what this day will be like for God’s ‘heritage Israel’, referring to those God calls his people, and ‘the nations’, referring to their enemies.
When God expresses outrage at the crimes the nations have committed against his people, holding them accountable (verses 2–8), it tells us God cares about us and the wrongs we suffer. It assures us he will enact justice on our behalf.
Verses 9–13 picture the futile attempts of the nations to withstand God’s judgement, but they are puny in comparison with the LORD who ‘roars from Zion’ (verse 16). Their land will become a desolate wilderness; they won’t get away with shedding innocent blood (verse 19).
Meanwhile, God acts as a ‘refuge’ and ‘stronghold’ for his people. They’ll be in no doubt they are completely forgiven; he is both with them and for them (verses 16–17). Pointing back to Eden and forward to the new heavens and new earth, Joel visualises a paradisal homeland for God’s people where they will live forever in perfect relationship with him.
The topic of judgement isn’t popular with anyone. It makes many Christians feel uncomfortable and it’s a source of outrage to many unbelievers. But we need to find a way to talk about it because according to the Bible, judgement day is coming and how we respond matters.
It will be a terrible day for the enemies of God’s people, but a glorious day of salvation and restoration for those who belong to the LORD.
Lord God, thank you that you love your people and that we can trust in you to protect, restore and bless us on judgement day, enacting perfect justice on our behalf. Help us to find good ways to talk about this with others, inviting them to call on you to be saved, as we have.
This reflection was written by Esther King, Digital Communications Officer at Bible Society
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