New Beginnings

​5-25-21
Today's devotion is based on a prophecy from Joel 2:27-32, "You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days, I will pour out my Spirit. "And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and Jerusalem, there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls."
It seems that living through some good times for a season and then experiencing the troubled times is an age-old cycle dating back throughout history. Where's God in all this? I sometimes wonder what God must be thinking as he reflects on the ability of people to ruin a good thing. I do not dwell there for too long because it is too disheartening. Sin, failure, depravity, stupidity, unleashed evil, destruction, cowardice, greed; the list could go on too.
Our God speaks of new beginnings to us, just as he did to the people of Israel. God promises to unleash the most powerful 'force' in the universe onto a tiny planet called Earth and bring salvation, healing, restoration, and hope. You and I live here. We call it home – for now. But we know there is better coming because that same Spirit has led us to Jesus as our Lord and Savior will lead us into the very presence of God.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Lord God Almighty, pour out your Holy Spirit afresh into all of us during this troubling time, a time where so many have lost hope. In your holy name, we pray.  Amen.