Bible Reading: Joel 1-3; Revelation 4.
Memory Verse: “Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:” Joel 3:7 (KJV).
In our Bible reading for today in Joel chapter one, we read of how God sent other nations to deal with Judah for sinning against Him. The extent of blow that these nations gave to Judah is clearly stated in Joel 1:4 (KJV), “That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.” So the cities were completely trodden down and the people languished beyond measure as nothing was left for them.
However, when Judah cried to God for mercy and repented of their sin, God promised to restore them. But beyond this, He stated that He would deal with those who punished the people of Judah! He said the children of Judah would be raised out of where they had been sold and He will sell those who sold them back to those places! Joel 3:7 (KJV), “Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:”
So before you unleash punishment on your offenders, you need to ask yourself how you will feel if the roles were reversed and the punishment is to be meted out to you. No wonder God said in his word in Romans 12:19 (KJV), “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” You should try as much as possible to hand over your offenders to God for punishment. In fact, what the Bible enjoins us to do is not only to hand over such offenders to God but you should also bless him if you are in a position to do so. “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20 (KJV).
So a number of people are suffering from the recompense of what they had meted out to their offenders in the past and wandering where they got it wrong! Just look at Joel 3:7. It is therefore important that you ask for mercy of God often so that the Almighty God can show you mercy and forgive your wrong doings.
Prayer Point: Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, please give me the grace to always hand over my offenders to you.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero