GODS RETRIBUTION & RESTORATION

The statement of Joel 2:25—“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten”—is a reference to the produce of food from the years the locusts destroyed the harvest.
A closer look at the context and details of this verse offers additional insight into the goodness of GOD.

Israel’s crops had been destroyed by a locust invasion (Joel 1:4), and the impact lasted more than one year. This could indicate that locusts invaded in consecutive years. However, it is more likely that the damage of one invasion had a multi-year impact. When locusts destroyed a crop, they wiped out the seed saved from the previous year, the harvest of the current year, and the seed that would be used the next year. Locust devastation of grape vines and fruit trees would take years to redevelop (Joel 1:12).

Joel 2:25 complements the preceding verse, which says, “The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.” The restoring of the years the locust had eaten would include an abundant harvest of grain, grapes, and olives.

Joel had used the locust invasion as an illustration of GODS judgment.
In His promise to “RESTORE” the years lost to the locust, GOD is pledging to restore His repentant people to a place of blessing after judgment.
The context describes many other positive things that would take place during this restoration:

-Green pasture for livestock: “the pastures of the wilderness are green” (Joel 2:22).
-Trees and vines that bear fruit: “the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield” (Joel 2:22).
-The spring and summer rains would come as needed for a good crop: “he has given the early rain” (Joel 2:23).

The results of this restoration would be both physical and spiritual. Physically, “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied.” Spiritually, they would “praise the name of the LORD your GOD, who has dealt wondrously with you” (Joel 2:26).

The conclusion of this section of Joel summarizes GODS intention for the RESTORATION:
“And my people shall never again be put to shame.

You shall know that I am in the midst of ISRAEL, and that I am the LORD your GOD there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame” (Joel 2:26-27).

GOD must deal with sin, but when His people repent, they find abundant blessing that more than compensates for what was lost in the judgment.
HIS GRACE ABOUNDS.

GOD SEES EVERY MOVE YOUR ENEMY MAKES

 GODS method of encouraging and strengthening those he calls to serve HIM
The LORD is acutely aware of the TRIALS and DIFFICULTIES, which his servants face.
HE knows all about the race they are running, the country they are passing through.
Sometimes they do not know how serious their situation is until the LORD shows them.
This was the case with Jeremiah:
He was unaware of the plots against his life until the LORD revealed them to him.

The Lord recognizes the frustration and the failure of his servants;
HE is aware of the times when they stumble and feel they cannot keep up.
He deliberately chooses “the weak things of the world” (1 Cor. 1:27) and he understands the make-up of those whom he APPOINTED before they were BORN.
💡JEREMIAH 5
And he never hides from them the tough times that lie ahead.

The LORD encourages his servants to find strength for the future in himself. He honours them by counting on their faithfulness. That is the point of these questions, which GOD asks Jeremiah. We do not hear his answer, but we know what it must have been:
“I will trust you and I know you will be with me, as you have promised, even when it means competing with horses and facing the thickets of Jordan.”

 💡GOD IS A STRONG TOWER
There is no other throne like this throne. Its glory is the glory of GOD, who sits upon it. It is an eternal throne, exalted above all the thrones of earth and time.
Yet it is “THE THRONE OF GRACE,” (Heb. 4:16) where mercy is received and where servants of the MOST HIGH find sanctuary.

It is in their relation to this throne that the secret of their strength is found. This is why Jeremiah, who trembles like a child when GOD calls HIM, stands as “a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall” (Jer. 1:18) before rulers, priests and people.
This is why he can keep going, despite the people’s iniquity which seems to be “inscribed with a flint point on the tablets of their hearts” (Jer. 17:1). This is why he can persevere in spite of the mockery that met his message: “They keep saying to me, ‘Where is the word of the LORD?
Let it now be fulfilled!’” (Jer. 17:15)
He is in touch with the throne.

Hast Thou not known, has thou not heard,
That firm remains on high
The everlasting throne of Him,
Who formed the earth and sky?
Art thou afraid His power shall fail
When comes thy evil day?
And can an all-creating arm
Grow weary or decay?
(Isaac Watts)

THE WORD OF GOD PROMISES US THAT THE ENEMY WILL COME AT US ONE WAY BUT IT WILL FLEE IN SEVEN WAYS

THE SCRIPTURES SAY:
MAN IS EVIL BY NATURE, BUT WHATEVER DEVIOUS DEEDS IT PLANS OR DEPLOYS WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO IT


OVER THE YEARS MAN HAS PASSED "UNDEMOCRATIC" LAWS:
MISLED PARLIAMENT AND THE PUBLIC
SUPPRESSED THE TRUTH
PROROGUED THE RULE OF LAW
AUTHORITARIAN ANTISEMITISM
AUTHORITARIAN SLAVERY
COERCION TECHNIQUES
AUTHORITARIAN TORTURE ETC

AND MANY DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT DAMAGE FROM THE EVIL DEEDS IT CONTINUES TO COMMIT, ONLY TO MAKE IT WORST

PRAY FERVENT PRAYERS FOR OUR LEAEERS AND GREAT BRITAIN