Oct 29

Joel describes God's army of locusts as a mighty army drawn up for battle (2:5), marching in line, not swerving from their course (v. 7), and not jostling each other (v. 8).

What an appropriate picture for the church in the battle of the last days, between God and Satan for control of the world and its souls. The church should be ready for battle, marching together in unison against the enemy, and not swerving from the course laid out for it by its Lord.

Yet how much of this splendid picture of a unified, tightly organized army is true of the church today? We see churches focused on social get-togethers that comfort the members, instead of teaching them in the Word, so they are ready to go out from their own, protected areas and do battle with the enemy.

We see the church often not united but refusing to join together to battle a common enemy. And we see members jostling each other for positions of honor in the ranks of the church, rather than striving to be on the front lines, at the risk of their very lives, in order to honor their Lord and die for him.

Is a soft, self-indulgent army like this an army like the one Joel describes, one at the sight of which the nations are in anguish and tremble for fear, with every face turning pale at the sight of them? (Joel 2:6).

Scripture for today: Joel 2
Thought for today: The world does not fear an undisciplined army.
Prayer for today: Lord God, grant me the desire to submit myself to the rigors of training for your army. I want to be part of that last-day army that goes to war for you and fights the enemy and experience the honor of fighting for you and dying for you if necessary. Thank you for this honor.

OCT 29