This morning, we’re turning to Joel chapter 2.  In this chapter, we hear the heart cry of God to us and better understand the days and season of the Lord in which we are living.

This chapter starts out warning about the coming day of the Lord and describes how terrible it will be.  The day of the Lord is the final day when God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth.  It is the day when time is up and the current order of things are destroyed before God makes all things new.

It is a terrible and horrific time that spares nothing in all of creation.  Even the stars are destroyed.  That day is coming.  However, it’s not right now!

Right now, we are living in the days of God’s grace and mercy and patience.  We are living in the days where God’s salvation is still ours for the receiving!  In fact, Peter reminds us that it is for our own sake, and because of His patience, that God has not yet brought the day of the Lord.  He wants no one to suffer His wrath, but desires for everyone to receive His salvation.  Since love that is forced is not love at all, He patiently waits on us to choose Him.

2 Peter 3:8-14

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

After explaining all of the signs to watch for and what it will be like when He returns, Jesus concludes with this same simple advice in how to live our lives:

Matthew 24:42-44

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Be ready.  None of us are promised tomorrow.  Most all of us here have experienced the unexpected loss of loved ones that painfully reminds us of this reality.  That’s why after Paul also teaches us all about death and our coming resurrection, he concludes in a similar way:

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

After warning about the coming day of the Lord, God calls us back to the days in which we are living:

Joel 2:12-32

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,

    “return to me with all your heart,

    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart

    and not your garments.

We’re reminded once again that the Lord doesn’t judge by mere appearances.  This is what religion does.  The Lord judges our heart and motives and attitudes.  If those are right, then our outward lives will be right as well.  That’s why God fills us with the Holy Spirit inside of our lives to do a work of transformation where it truly is needed. 

I love how bluntly Jesus explains this truth to us!

Matthew 15:16-20

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus as