FOR THE LORD HAS DONE MARVELOUS THINGS!
20 ............ Surely the LORD has done great things! 21 Don’t be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the LORD has done great things. 22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field! The pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with luscious fruit; fig trees and grapevines will flourish once more. 23 Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rains he sends are an expression of his grace. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. 24 The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain, and the presses will overflow with wine and olive oil. 25 The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. 26 Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced like this. 27 Then you will know that I am here among my people of Israel and that I alone am the LORD your God. My people will never again be disgraced like this. (Joel 2:20-27 New Living Translation - NLT)
Here is the same passage as recorded in New King James Version:
20 .............. Because he has done monstrous things.” 21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done marvelous things! 22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; for the open pastures are springing up, and the tree bears its fruit; and the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you – the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new vine and oil. 25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you, 26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. 27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. (Joel 2:20-27 NKJV)
Verse 26 of Joel chapter 2 (NLT) talks about “the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts.” The “great destroying army against you.” There are as many as 100 billion locusts in a swarm. What do locusts do to a farmer? They basically undermine his harvest – regardless of how hard he worked and toiled on a land; regardless of how diligently he sowed seeds on it, regardless of how often he added fertilizer or manure. The seed germinates with shoots sprouting out of the ground, and the shoot develops into big plants with leaves and fruits, only for the “great destroying army” of locusts to unleash terror on his harvest. The locusts can attack the plants by eating the leaves. Of course, leaves (which contains chlorophyll) are needed for converting sunlight energy into chemical energy that is stored as carbohydrate. By devouring the crops, the swarms of locusts create an agricultural disaster that undermines the effort of the farmer. Not funny, I tell you. No, really it isn’t. Locusts are considered farmers arch-enemy in the sense that they can make a hardworking farmer appear slothful when the harvest season comes.
1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones (Psalm 127:1-2 NLT)
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten .......... (Joel 2:25 NKJV)
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peters 3:9 NKJV).
Just when you think that the Lord is slack in fulfilling His promises, “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV).
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten”, declared His Majesty the Most High God. This declaration / promise applies to diverse areas of our lives. It applies in terms of your health, finances, career / occupation, residence / home, ministry or any other area of your life that can be figuratively (metaphorically) be considered as a land. Areas of our lives that you and I desire the Lord to bring about restoration. Whereas we are limited in our ways by reason of our nature as human beings, God is limitless in His ways. Whereas we are finite; He is infinite. Whereas we are mortals; He is immortal. The point where human ability comes to an end is where God’s commence. In terms of restoration, He is able to do “monstrous things”.
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn (Psalm 47:4-5 NKJV).
1 ........... There I saw a stream flowing eastward from beneath the Temple threshold........... 6 He told me to keep in mind what I had seen; then he led me back along the riverbank. 7 Suddenly, to my surprise, many trees were now growing on both sides of the river! 8 Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the Jordan Valley, where it enters the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will heal the salty waters of the Dead Sea and make them fresh and pure. 9 Everything that touches the water of this river will live. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will be healed. Wherever this water flows, everything will live (Ezekiel 47:1,6-9 NLT).
Talking about restoration, let’s take a look at the life of Job. He is about the only human being in recorded history whose deeds and lifestyle were bragged about by the Most High God.
Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” (Job 1:8 NLT)
And to think that it is stated in the scriptures that
10 ........ “No one is good — not even one. 11 No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their speech is filled with lies.” “The poison of a deadly snake drips from their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “They are quick to commit murder. 16 Wherever they go, destruction and misery follow them. 17 They do not know what true peace is.” 18 “They have no fear of God to restrain them.” (Romans 3:10-18 NLT)
Against that backdrop, what are the odds of God finding anyone in human flesh that is worthy of His boast? Could it be one in a million? Could it be one in a billion? Go ahead and pick a number; what are the odds? Job somehow – by the grace of the Most High God - managed to beat the odds, and the next thing you know someone got God flying his kite in the presence of Lucifer (Satan) and the angels.
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them............ 8 Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” (Job 1:6,8, NLT)
His fortune was about to change, no thanks to that notorious cheap shot artist Satan. That Job was going his own way, or doing things that pleased God did not deter the evil one from having a go at him.
9 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! 10 You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 12 “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence......... 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. .......” 16 ..........“The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. .........” 17 .......... “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. ......” 19 ........ The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. ..........” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. (Job 1:9,10,11,12,15,16,17,19,22 NLT)
1 One day the angels came again to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them......... 3 Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you persuaded me to harm him without cause.” 4 Satan replied to the LORD, “Skin for skin—he blesses you only because you bless him. A man will give up everything he has to save his life. 5 But take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the LORD said to Satan. “But spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with a terrible case of boils from head to foot.......... 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But Job replied, “You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. (Job 2:1,3-7,9-10 NLT)
Satan may have had a good laugh at Job’s predicament. Guess who had the last laugh?
10 When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!......... 12 So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. ........... (Job 42:10,12 NLT)
25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you, 26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. 27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. (Joel 2:25-27 NKJV)
Needless to say, Satan is a nasty piece of work. He is a sadist and a loser. He lost an esteemed position among the angelic sons of God. With His awesome power, Jehovah God quelled the rebellion led by the devil. The Most High God proved His immeasurable and unmatchable superiority by banishing him from His presence.
7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and the angels under his command fought the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle and was forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. 10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has happened at last—the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth—the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. ............. (Revelation 12:7-11 NLT)
Satan is a defeated foe, and he knows it! He is described in Revelation 12:12 (NKJV) as “having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” “The accuser of our brethren” will do just about anything to make our lives miserable. Misery, of course, loves company. Remember, anything that we do that brings honour to God and His kingdom will conversely bring shame to the evil one and his cohort. What else gives a sadistic loser like Lucifer joy than to ruin your testimony? He will do all he can to drag you down into the same pit he and his demons have found themselves. He did just that in the Garden of Eden where and when he played a significant role in the fall of man (Genesis 3:1-24). But do not forget “when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV). He declared boldly “when you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you (Isaiah 43:2 NLT).
In terms of passing through fire, has He proved to be a God of His word? See for yourself.
19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully clothed............ 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell down into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes,” they said, “we did indeed, Your Majesty.”
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire. They aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a divine being !”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.
27 Then the princes, prefects, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! (Daniel 3:19-21,23-27 NLT)
Yes, He is a God of His word! The three Hebrew boys walked through fire and the flames did not consume them. If only we can say the same for those who cast them into the inferno.
22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in! (Daniel 3:22 NLT)
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30 NKJV)
In terms of going through deep waters, has He proved to be a God of His word? See for yourself.
21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! (Exodus 14:21-22 NLT)
Yes, He is a God of His word! The people of God walked through deep waters and they were not drowned. If only we can say the same for those who drove them into the deep waters scenario.
23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—followed them across the bottom of the sea. 24 But early in the morning, the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw them into confusion. 25 Their chariot wheels began to come off, making their chariots impossible to drive. “Let’s get out of here!” the Egyptians shouted. “The LORD is fighting for Israel against us!” 26 When all the Israelites were on the other side, the LORD said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back over the Egyptian chariots and charioteers.” 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea. The water roared back into its usual place, and the LORD swept the terrified Egyptians into the surging currents. 28 The waters covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. 29 The people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry land, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 30 This was how the LORD rescued Israel from the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites could see the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and put their faith in him ........... (Exodus 14:23-31 NLT)
8 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. 9 Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power is his forever and ever. Amen. 12 ............ My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens. (1 Peter 5:8-11,12 NLT)
1 Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. Satan was there at the angel’s right hand, accusing Jeshua of many things. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from a fire.” 3 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 5 Then I said, “Please, could he also have a clean turban on his head?” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the LORD stood by. (Zechariah 3:1-5 NLT)
Furthermore on the subject of restoration, please keep in mind that the Lord’s ability to perfect the work of restoration in your life and circumstances is not hindered by length of time. After all, Abraham had Isaac – in fulfillment of the word of God - when he was 100 years old (Genesis 15:1-4; 18:9-14; 21:1-7). His wife Sarah was 90 years old, and way past menopause. Caleb was 40 years old when the Lord declared “the land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your special possession and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God” (Joshua 14:9 NLT). Caleb was 80 years old when the Promised Land was reached. He was 85 years old when – in fulfilment of the word of God - he inherited Hebron (Joshua 14:6-15). Of the generation that left Egypt, only 2 people made it to the Promised Land. Caleb was one of them (Joshua was the other). Correlated reading can be found under OF INDIVIDUALS AND ATTITUDE and OF INTERVENTION AND DIVINITY.
So my friends, “fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done marvelous things!”
God bless.
Yours
Adekunle Majek’
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality & excellence
That’s the Spirit!
P.S. I know the Lord has used this piece to minister to you. How about sharing it with someone?
To return to HIAFEM Homepage, click here.
