To God be The glory, Amen

Throughout redemptive history, one sad theme runs consistently. God sets his favor on the Israelites as his treasured possession, makes a covenant with them to bless them, and they break their part of the covenant. It is a sad illustration of the human condition that God’s own people, rescued from bondage in Egypt by the mighty hand of God, forget again and again his faithfulness and goodness to them, turning instead to false gods and the wickedness that goes with other religions.

God is perfectly holy, and while he routinely shows his children mercy and is patient with them, his holiness eventually leads to the necessity of disciplining his people. Whenever he does, he always returns to restore them and bless them once again because of his lovingkindness and mercy for them. In Joel 2:25, God promises not only to resume blessing, providing for, and protecting his chosen ones who have failed, he even promises to restore what was lost in the destruction brought upon them by their sin and rebellion.

This is a sweet promise for anyone who has suffered the consequences of their sin and fears that they cannot recover what was lost. God is a kind and merciful Father to us who will not discipline us more than is necessary and longs to restore us in our relationship to him, and in the blessings we enjoyed by his hand.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Joel 2:25

#1 “I will repay you…”
If God promises to repay, you need no collateral. If only we would believe the promises of God and live accordingly. This promise is meant as an encouragement for a chastened people. When the Father disciplines his children, he stays his hand at just the right moment. And here, he promises not only that the discipline will come to an end, but that restoration is his intent.

#2 “…for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm…”
In the time the Israelites were living out their dispersion for their rebellion towards God, they and their lands were being laid waste, as though locusts of various kinds and swarms were having their way on the livelihood of God’s children. God seems to be promising that the blessing that will follow will be proportional to the discipline received. This is an amazing kindness because their punishment had not been strong enough even to fit the great crime of their rebellion. God is merciful. He is also generous.

#3 “…my great army that I sent among you.”
There is no army that God does not have sovereign control over. God promised to unleash an army upon Babylon for their part in the affliction of his people.

Jeremiah 51:20
“You are my war club, my weapon for battle—with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms.”

Hebrews 12:29
“Our God is a consuming fire.”

He can make wars begin and he causes them to cease (Ps 46:9).

Expert Overview of Joel

People may not recognize you yet: your boss doesn’t give you credit, relatives discount you and think you don’t have much to offer. You may be overlooked now, but the time is coming when you’re going to be noticed. People are going to recognize your value, your gifts, your talents. God is going to cause you to stand out. You’re going to go from being unnoticed to being in charge, from being not recognized to being the favorite. You couldn’t have made it happen on your own. That’s God’s blessing on your life.

5 Bible Verses about The Name Of Jesus Christ:
1. There is Power in The Name of JESUS!
Philippians 2:9-10, NASB For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, See also: The Power of Christ in me

2. Demons are subject to us in The Name of JESUS!
Luke 10:17, ESV The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
Luke 10:20, ESV Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

3. Salvation is found in The Name of JESUS!
Acts 4:12, ESV And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
John 14:6, ESV Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Getting to know God
Romans 10:13, ESV For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

4. We must continually SUBMIT ourselves to God and RESIST the devil!
We must surrender our hearts to God and put on the whole armor of God!
James 2:19, ESV You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder!
James 4:7, ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 6:11-13, ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:14-18, ESV Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

5. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Saves Us, Sanctifies Us, and Justifies Us!
CALL ON THE NAME OF JESUS!
1 Corinthians 6:11, NLT … you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

When you start to take new ground—you go after your healing, your freedom, your abundance—the enemy thinks that’s his territory. He thinks that ground belongs to him, so you’ll hear that roar louder than ever. He’s hoping to intimidate you to turn back and not go after what God put in your heart. How many people hear the roar and give up on their dream, quit believing for their healing, think that they could never come out of debt?

The crippled; Jesus asked to “Rise and walk!” There was no hesitation on the part of the healed! Yes! There are accounts aplenty! It was and is never said “try” it is said “Do.” Hallelujah!

Have a new perspective: the roar is a sign that you’re moving toward what God promised. You wouldn’t hear the roar if you weren’t about to go where you’ve never been and experience God’s favor, influence, opportunity, like you’ve never seen.

God told the Israelites in Exodus 20, “Build altars in the places where I remind you Who I am, and I will bless you there.”

God will bless you where you’ve built altars. When you’re always thanking God for what He’s done, remembering His goodness, talking about how He’s made ways where you didn’t see a way.

“Your testimony is the story of your encounter with God and what role He has played throughout your life.”

“What God is bringing you through at this very moment will be the testimony that will bring someone else through. No mess, no message.”

“If you give it to God, He transforms your test into a testimony, your mess into a message, and your misery into a ministry.”

“The unbelieving world should see our testimony lived out daily because it just may point them to the Savior.” Billy Graham

While you’re thanking Him, God says He will bless you. You’re there to express your gratitude, but when you’re at the altar, God says, “I will be good to you.” This begs the question, “Are we not being blessed, because we’re not building altars?” Are we not seeing favor, because we’re not acknowledging God’s goodness? God said, “Build altars where I remind you who I am.”

Old Testament thankfulness verses:

1. Ezra 3:11

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

“He is good;
    His Love toward Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to The Lord, because the foundation of the house of The  Lord was laid. 

I will give thanks to The Lord because of His righteousness;
    I will sing the praises of The Name of The  Lord Most High.

2. Psalm 7:17

3. Psalm 9:1

I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.

4. Psalm 35:18

I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
    among the throngs I will praise You.

5. Psalm 69:30

I will praise God’s Name in song
    and glorify Him  with thanksgiving.

6. Psalm 95:1-3

Come, let us sing for joy to The Lord;
    let us shout aloud to The Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.

7. Psalm 100:4-5

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
    and His courts with praise;
    give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For The  Lord is good and His Love endures forever;
    His faithfulness continues through all generations.

8. Psalm 106:1

Praise The Lord.

Give thanks to The Lord, for He is good;
    His Love endures forever.

9. Psalm 107:21-22

Let them give thanks to The Lord for His unfailing Love
    and His wonderful deeds for Mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of His works with songs of joy.

10. Psalm 118:1

Give thanks to The Lord, for He is good;
    His Love endures forever.

11. Psalm 147:7

Sing to The Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

12. Daniel 2:23

I thank and praise You, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
You have made known to me what we asked of You,
    You have made known to us the dream of the king.

New Testament:

13. Ephesians 5:18-20

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with The Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from The Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to The Lord, always giving thanks to God The Father for everything, in The Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

14. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

15. Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

16. Colossians 3:15-17

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

17. Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

18. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19. Hebrews 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

20. Hebrews 13:15-16

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.