How can Christians apply Joel 2:25 to their lives today?
Joel 2:25
ESV - 25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
In today's time, the locust, destroyer, etc. is our enemy, satan and he comes to steal, kill and destroy us spiritually, emotionally, physical and any way he can. But God can and will restore you and your life if you will confess that He is Lord and strive to obey and delight yourself in His Word and repent of any unconfessed sin (wrong doing based on the bible) in your life. God can restore faith, love, joy, peace, compassion, job, family, finances, emotional stability, etc. However, restore doesn't necessarily mean you'll get back exactly what you had, but it might mean a totally new and better paying job, a new family, etc. Be open to God's blessings however He chooses to manifest it in your life. God Bless You!
@ [my great army which I sent among you] The plague of locusts of 1:4, which was symbolic of the armies of the nations that will make Palestine desolate in the day of the Lord.
Verse 28
@ [afterward] Afterward -- after the restoration of Israel, as in Joel 2:18-27.
b [pour out my spirit] Three great outpourings of the Holy Spirit:
1. On the day of Pentecost and many years following this day (Acts 2:1 -- Acts 28:31)
2. During the future tribulation (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21)
3. During the Millennium (Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 36:26-27; 39:29; Zech. 12:10)
Basically God is saying he will restore to you what the devil has taken from you: joy, peace, hope, compassion, etc. but also it could refer to material things that you've lost like finances, meaningful relationships, job, family, etc. but we must admit our part in any sin or bad choices that may have led to lost and repent of those and turn fully away from them and strive daily to obey God's commands (His Word). God will also restore/reward us when we get to heaven for the good & faithfulness that we did while down here on earth. However it is not our good deeds that will get us to heaven. We have to genuinely confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus, The Christ is Lord and strive to live for him that will reserve us a place prepared for His people