God’s Complete Answer to Zion
God sends word to Zion through the prophet Joel, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—.” These words, “repay you for the years” struck a resounding chord. “The years… the years… the years…” Zion had endured the plague of locust, not simply for one growing season of seedtime and harvest, but for years! The locust came in four waves, with each successive devouring what the previous invading swarm had left. The impact and devastation on the food supply, livestock, the economy, people’s livelihoods; it is all these things God vows to heal… God vows to restore and repay to the people and land of Zion. It is one thing to receive resources or provisions to sustain you in tough times… to help you over the hump. It is another thing entirely to be replenished, repaid, made complete… to be made whole. This is the Lord’s promise! This is what the Lord vows; that God would return and restore to the people everything they lost in the plague of locust, the siege of the army, and (catch this now) all the increase, dividends, residual gains, and benefits they otherwise would have enjoyed. This is what is meant by the words, “I will repay you for the years…”
God is ready to do a complete work in Zion today, just as in the Zion of yester-year. If we would choose to return to God… turn back to God with our whole being… with our faith, family, fortunes… with our lives, livelihoods, and the longings of our heart, and be a committed covenant people once again; God will complete us.
Let Us Pray
Lord God, we are nothing without you. The wealth of the world means nothing without you. Lord God, we desire to be complete in you, not in material things. We know that you will meet our every need; there is nothing we will lack. So, Lord, restore to us hearts that love you unfailingly, minds that are set on knowing your ways, and lives that are fully committed to sharing and reflecting your glory in the world.
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