Divine Restoration 神圣的复兴
Dexu Xia
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. Joel 2:25
Today's Scripture Joel 2:21-27
Today's Insights For believers in Jesus, perhaps the greatest impact of Joel 2 comes when Peter quotes a portion of it during his Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:17-21) and rightly shows the timeless nature of God’s plan for the rescue and restoration of His lost creation (Joel 2:28-32). Yet, while Peter used Joel 2 to help explain the divine purpose behind the events of those recent days in Jerusalem (Acts 2:22-24), some of the things Joel prophesied would reach even further into the future: “I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below . . . . The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord” (Acts 2:19-20; see Joel 2:30-31). The events preceding Pentecost fulfilled one part of these prophecies, and Christ’s return will fulfill the rest! His faithful ways allow us to experience a life relationship with Him and a bright future in His presence.
Today's Devotional My heart sank. My mind started to swirl. A friend who’d been helping set up my new laptop accidentally deleted all the photos and videos I’d transferred to it. Years of precious memories with family and friends were all gone in an instant. Panic set in. I’d never be able to recreate those cherished moments from past holidays, travels, and special occasions. Before sentimental me could have a complete meltdown, my friend said he was hopeful he could recover my files. Thankfully, a few agonizing hours later I was overjoyed to see my special media files reappear.
I waited anxiously for only a few hours, but the fear was real. Loss can be scary and painful. In Joel 2, the prophet called the people of Judah to repentance after devastation by a horde of locusts that destroyed the grain fields, vineyards, gardens, and trees. The prophet had warned the people of the impending consequences of their rebellion against God. But God hadn’t abandoned them. He would help and bring restoration if they placed their trust in God: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (2:25).
God restored Judah when they turned to Him. God wants to restore you as well.
Whatever circumstances you’re in, you can turn to God and trust Him—knowing that He’s “the Lord your God, and that there is no other” (v. 27). He is faithful to help you recover from what was lost and bring you into a relationship with Him.
Reflect & Pray
How has God helped you during loss? How can you turn to God in your current situation?
Dear God, thank You for restoring me. By Nancy Gavilanes
“蝗虫、蚂蚱、剪虫那些年所吃的，我要补还给你。（约珥书 2:25）
今日经文：约珥书 2章21-27 节
今日洞见：对于信耶稣的人来说，约珥书第二章最深刻的影响或许是在彼得在五旬节的讲道中引用了其中的一部分（使徒行传 2:17-21），并正确地展现了上帝拯救和复兴已经失丧的被造的永恒计划（约珥书 2:28-32）。然而，尽管彼得引用约珥书第二章来帮助解释耶路撒冷那几日发生的事件背后神圣的旨意（使徒行传 2:22-24），约珥预言的某些事情甚至会延伸到更遥远的未来：“在天上我要显出奇事，在地下我要显出神迹，有血、有火、有烟雾。日头要变为黑暗，月亮要变为血，这都在主大而可畏的日子未到以前”（使徒行传 2:19-20；参见约珥书 2:30-31）。
五旬节之前的事件应验了这些预言的一部分，而基督的再来将应验其余部分！基督信实地持守祂的应许，这使我们能够与基督建立生命的关系，并因祂的同在拥有光明的未来。
今日灵修：我的心沉了下去。我的思绪开始混乱。一位帮我设置新笔记本电脑的朋友不小心删除了我传输到电脑里的所有照片和视频。多年来与家人和朋友的珍贵回忆，瞬间全部消失了。恐慌袭来。我再也无法重温过去假期、旅行和特殊场合中那些珍贵的瞬间了。就在我这个多愁善感的人即将彻底崩溃之际，我的朋友说他有希望找回我的文件。谢天谢地，经过几个小时的煎熬，我欣喜若狂地看到那些珍贵的媒体文件重新出现。
我只焦急地等待了几个小时，但心里的恐惧却是真实的。失去东西会让人感到恐惧和痛苦。在《约珥书》第二章中，先知约珥在蝗虫肆虐犹大国，摧毁了麦田、葡萄园、花园和树木之后，呼召犹大百姓悔改。先知曾警告百姓，他们悖逆上帝将会带来怎样的后果。但上帝并没有抛弃他们。如果他们信靠上帝，祂就会帮助他们，带来复兴：“蝗虫、蚂蚱、剪虫那些年所吃的，我要补还给你”（2:25）。 当犹大人归向祂时，上帝复兴了他们。上帝也想复兴你。无论你身处何种境地，你都可以转向神，信靠祂，因为祂是“耶和华你的神，除祂以外，别无他神”（第27节）。祂信实可靠，必帮助你从失去的伤痛中恢复过来，并引领你与祂建立关系。
反思与祷告 在你经历失去时 神是如何帮助你的？在你目前的处境中，你该如何转向神？ 亲爱的神，感谢祢使我复兴。——南希·加维拉内斯