Shade Tree Wisdom 8/10/12

          The short Old Testament book of Joel is a reminder that God is there in our daily lives always.

          He speaks of a coming plague of locusts that will devastate the land. Why, because they had forsaken God.

          But when they repent,
              “Rend your hearts, and not your garments,
               Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious
               And compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,
               And He relents from sending calamity.
               Who knows, He may turn and have pity,
               And leave behind a blessing”. Joel 2,13.14.

          For afterward “I will pour out My Spirit on all people”. V.28.
“and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”v.32.

          Our world is like that, forgotten God, doing what we please. We see that every day, read about the bad things that happen, the ways people seem to find to do evil things. The Bible sums the attitude up when it says:
              “The Fool says in his heart,
               There is no God.
               They are corrupt, their deeds are vile,
               There is no one that does good.
               The Lord looks down from heaven
               On the sons of men,
               To see if there are any that understand,
               Any who seek God.

               All have turned aside,
               They have altogether become corrupt.
               There is no one that does good,
               Not even one.’ Psalm 14, 1-3.

          And yet hear again this wonderful word.
              “For Go so loved the world that He gave
               His only-begotten Son,
               That whosoever believeth on Him,
               Shall be saved,” John 3,16

GPD 8/10/12