The Day of the LORD, Part 1

The Minor Prophets: The God of Our Salvation

Pastor Jim Thomas

Joel 2:1-27

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Joel 1:15

What is “the day of the LORD” and why does it matter?

Bible books that refer to the day of the LORD:

• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Ezekiel
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Zephaniah
• Zechariah
• Malachi
• Acts
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 2 Peter

These Bible passages often describe the nature, scope and timing of the Day of the LORD and may broadly refer to any of God’s actions in three contexts: historic, imminent or ultimate.

“The Day of the LORD” is a biblical phrase that signifies God’s special interventions in human history wherein God acts with righteous judgment against sin and evil or, wherein by His sovereign grace, God acts to offer deliverance and salvation to His people.

What does the Day of the LORD mean for us?

• The God of the Bible is not an indifferent or disinterested deity when it comes to humanity.
• The God of the Bible is personal and powerful, and has plans and purposes He intends to fulfill.
• The God of the Bible is sovereign over His creation, over all human history, over every nation, and over all people.
• In God’s righteous judgment He intends to eradicate all evil and its effects: idolatry, injustice, abuse, greed, poverty, racism, despair, disease, death, etc.
• God’s gracious offer of salvation by grace through faith in Christ means that all sinners who repent and believe will be forgiven and saved. 

Here’s what’s waiting for us in the Day of the LORD:

• Forgiveness for the past.
• Joy for the present.
• Hope for the future.
• So, what are we waiting for? 
• It’s time for us to repent, rend our hearts and return to the LORD (v12-17) 

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“Crying to God is not the same as returning to God…The Lord is looking for a people who will not only cry out to him, but who will return to him with all their heart.” 
David Prior, The Message of Joel, Micah and Habakkuk

“God’s people can take comfort in the fact that they will be vindicated on the day of the Lord. God will never abandon his promise that repentance brings forgiveness. Joel’s message to us is that there is still time to call on the Lord’s name and be forgiven and saved. Those who turn to God will receive his pardon and enjoy the blessings described in Joel’s prophecy, including the enjoyment of God’s presence forever, but those who refuse face punishment and destruction.”
Yoilah Yilpet, Africa Bible Commentary

“Returning to God in fresh contrition, however ashamed and disgusted with ourselves, he will not tepidly pardon. He will abundantly pardon. He does not merely accept us. He sweeps us up in his arms again.”
Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:23-25