On the homepage of a website I discovered recently, all the global natural disasters for the current year are graphically presented on a world map. Icons reveal landslides, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, erupting volcanoes, windstorms, and more. It’s sobering to see the number of natural disasters that affect people around the globe!
As we turn our eyes to the minor prophet book of Joel, we find a natural disaster that adversely affected the people of Judah. Locusts had covered their land, “cutting,” “swarming,” “hopping,” and “stripping”—“a terrible army too numerous to count” (Joel 1:4,6). The food disappeared and the people felt more than just hunger pangs; they felt the dark, dreadful pangs of despair (Joel 1:11,16).
The prophet wrote that the crisis could have even led to foreigners sneering at Judah’s plight and saying, “Has the God of Israel left them?” (Joel 2:17). In other words, God’s people asked, “Where’s God? Why has this happened to us?”
When we face trials and big challenges such as natural disasters that test our faith, we can also be tempted to doubt God. But Joel reveals some things about God that bring comfort in the midst of crises: First, God meets our needs. He promised to send what was needed to “satisfy [the] needs” of Judah, and He will meet our needs too (Joel 2:19; Philippians 4:19). Second, God remains faithful. We can rejoice in Him and His faithful care for us (Joel 2:23). Third, God is with us. He told Joel that He was “among [His] people” and that He remained “the LORD [their] God” (Joel 2:27). Likewise, He will never fail or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).
When the “locusts” of life threaten to overwhelm you, remember: God is there.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 11:37-57
More:
Read Psalm 89:8 and consider what it says about God and why you can count on Him.
Next:
What has caused you to think, Where’s God? How has He proved His faithfulness to you?
vinictomor27 on August 19, 2014 at 2:45 am
Halleluya!
Gene on August 19, 2014 at 8:10 am
It’s the little things adding up that makes me wonder sometimes. Car/house repairs, supporting kid’s schedules, church issues. We’ve had our share of life’s big storms, but losing sight of God in the midst of the daily churn can be an issue. The fact is He knows about all those things and cares deeply about all things concerning us. Tom, these words and verses are a great reminder that God is in control over the big and little storms.
Tom Felten on August 19, 2014 at 9:32 am
Gene, good thoughts on the steady drip of the little things . . . it can truly wear us down. May God give us His perspective on what it means to face both the big and little things with a joy that flows from Him!
Gary Shultz on August 19, 2014 at 8:48 am
I certain agree with Tom, but I have been spared from most large catastrophes. I sure do relate to what Gene said. I too am so thankful for a supernatural presence in a crumbling natural world.
Tom Felten on August 19, 2014 at 9:33 am
A crumbling world, but one that God will one day restore! Praise Him for our future hope.
poohpity on August 19, 2014 at 11:50 am
God is where one allows Him to be. Before our day begins He can take first place in our thoughts, through out the day and the last thing before we lay our head down then as we sleep we can rest assured that His presence is there also. Nothing can separate us from Him even when we let our daily dipping take our focus from Him, God remains faithful. His faithfulness is not dependent on us, praise God.
Tom Felten on August 19, 2014 at 4:38 pm
So true, poohpity. What you wrote reminds me of Psalm 139:1-24.
poohpity on August 19, 2014 at 4:59 pm
I was thinking of Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 as well. Smile. As if the whole Bible and our experience in abiding with the Lord gives us proof as we go through all the struggles in life the really hard ones as well as the monotonous.
mleue on August 19, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Thank you.
Tom Felten on August 19, 2014 at 4:39 pm
mleue, thank you for being part of Our Daily Journey community!
bobrogers on August 19, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Hi Tom. Thanks for the great thoughts. I can’t help but notice that it was only as the people turned and acknowledged God in their lives that He responded. It seems that God was prevented from blessing His people (as He wanted to), because they failed to acknowledge Him. Their small ‘day-to-day’ sins were not of great concern to God. Instead He wanted them to simply acknowledge Him as their God.
Today we can be in danger of thinking every little trial is a response from God against us and we must live ever better lives. I thank Him that His grace overlooks my pettiness and many shortfalls. Instead I do well to walk daily with His dear Son, learning from Him and slowly but surely becoming more like Him.
Thanks again.
Tom Felten on August 20, 2014 at 8:59 am
Great insight, Bob. Yes, it can be so easy to see trials and challenges as evidences of God’s absence or punishment. Instead, may we worship Him and rejoice in Him in all things!
Mike Wittmer on August 21, 2014 at 2:51 pm
This is important to remember even when we live a sheltered life. It’s easy to forget God and think that we’ve got this. I like Proverbs 30:7-9, which says “Give me neither poverty nor riches,” so I won’t be tempted to forget the Lord.
Winn Collier on August 26, 2014 at 4:18 pm
I don’t think I could handle this website right now. I really don’t.