Refuge in the Roar

“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah.., I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. I will enter into judgment with them, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people…

“Proclaim this among the nations:
Consecrate for war;
    stir up the mighty men.
Let all the men of war draw near;
    let them come up.
Beat your plowshares into swords,
    your pruning hooks into spears;
    let the weak say, ‘I am a warrior.’

“Hasten and come,
    all surrounding nations,
    and gather yourselves there.
Bring down your warriors, O Lord.
Let the nations stir themselves up
    and come up;..
for there I will judge
    all the surrounding nations.

“Put in the sickle,
    for the harvest is ripe.
Go in, tread,
    for the winepress is full.
The vats overflow,
    for their evil is great.

“Multitudes, multitudes,
    in the valley of decision!
The day of the Lord is near…
The sun and the moon are darkened,
    and the stars withdraw their shining.

“The Lord roars from Zion,
    and utters his voice from Jerusalem,
    and the heavens and the earth quake.
But the Lord is a refuge to his people,
    a stronghold to the people of Israel.

“’So you shall know that I am the Lord your God,
    who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.
And Jerusalem shall be holy,
    and strangers shall never again pass through it.

“’And in that day
the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
    and the hills shall flow with milk,
and all the streambeds of Judah
    shall flow with water;
and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord
    and water the Valley…

“’Egypt shall become a desolation
    and Edom a desolate wilderness,
for the violence done to the people of Judah,
    because they have shed innocent blood.
But Judah shall be inhabited forever,
    and Jerusalem to all generations.’” Joel 3:1-3,9-20

“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah… has conquered.” Revelation 5:5

Joel closes his prophetic message with a revelation of the final war on God’s enemies and triumph for the faithful in Zion. He had called all to repent and foretold restoration and pouring out of God’s Spirit, and ends with the regal Lion of Judah roaring and reigning over His fruitful people. In Him alone was Israel’s refuge and hope.

Present culture resounds with a cacophony of unsettling noise. In the clamor of disharmony, injustice, and frenzied tensions, it is hard at times to hear the roar of God. Louder noise alarms, captivates, or threatens, and blocks both ear and mind to the presence of the Almighty who rules over all.

We can get so caught up in the cruel mess of life that we fail to sense the Lion of Judah on alert, strong with power, in control. His word rules both these days and that day. A final war will occur, the Lord will judge, and the Lion will roar His victory song.

Over what cruelties and injustices do I rue? What troubles tax? Can I see my strain, or another’s pain, at the place of ultimate reckoning and hope? What blessings do I find in my Refuge and Stronghold Jesus? (Psalm 144:1-2)

Lord, may I daily take hope and assurance in Your promises.