The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men. – Joel 1:10-12
God wants us to be alive! When I left church, I was gradually drying up spiritually. My health was okay, thankfully, but I was rotting away inside. The passage above in Joel 1 describes a harvest that is dying. While I was away from God, I was not producing much fruit. How could I, when I did not live the new life He had provided me through His Gospel? “The oil languisheth” in Joel 1:11 is symbolic of the Holy Spirit having little impact on me. I was not trying to live a holy life, consecrated unto a Holy God.
But notice that the reason given for these things drying up and dying is joy being “withered away” (Joel 1:12). The Word says that “the joy of the LORD is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where can we get joy? We receive joy from God, and from serving Him.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, in this moment I worship You for who You are. You are the Giver of life, and joy, and all good things. I ask You to renew me in in the Holy Spirit, and fill me to overflowing. Help me to stop dying, and start living again. In the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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