He Revives Our Joy

First, in Joel 2:21 the land has reason to rejoice, then in Joel 2:22 the beasts have reason to rejoice. And now, the people have reason to rejoice.

"Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before."

Joel 2:23

In Israel, the “early rain” is actually the rain in the fall from October to December. This is when the grain sprouts. The “latter rain” is the rain in the spring from March to April that causes the grain to mature before harvest-time.

God is saying, “You’ll get all the rain you need – at just the right time.” So, what happens? A full harvest.

"The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil."  Joel 2:24

When everything has wasted away, we are tempted to ask, “Can these dry bones live? Can this dry land be fruitful again?” Yes! With God all things are possible.

It’s why verse 23 says, “Be glad and rejoice!”

Maybe for a long, long time, you’ve been depressed and sour Christian. Maybe you’ve been angry with God because of the discipline He’s sent your way. But our God is in control. And if we will return to Him, we can watch Him do something amazing. We can be the most joyful people in the whole world.

In His time and in His way, the Lord makes things better than ever.

When God's people repent, the Lord promises to revive our joy.