Title: Do Not Fear
Text: Joel 2:21–23 (NKJV)
“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous
things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; for the open pastures are
springing up, and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield
their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord
your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause
the rain to come down for you — The former rain, and the latter rain in the
first month.”
Introduction
The book of Joel was written in a time of devastation — locusts had
destroyed the land, the people were in despair, and it seemed that God’s
blessings had been withdrawn. Yet, in the middle of the chaos, God speaks
through the prophet Joel with a simple but powerful message: “Do not fear.”
This message is not just for Israel — it’s for us today. In our seasons
of loss, uncertainty, or waiting, God reminds us that He is faithful, He is
working, and He will restore.
Let us draw five lessons from this passage under the subheadings:
1.
God has been faithful
2.
The Lord has done great things
3.
Continue our faithfulness
4.
Better days are coming
5.
Our blessings are ahead
1. God Has Been Faithful
Scripture Reference: Lamentations 3:22–23 – “Through the Lord’s
mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new
every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Even in the middle of Israel’s famine and destruction, Joel reminds them
that God had not forgotten them. “He has given you the former rain faithfully.”
The “former rain” was what prepared the ground for seed — a symbol of God’s
past provision.
Illustration:
A farmer once said, “I never plant a seed without remembering that last year’s
rain still watered this year’s crop.” He was saying that the same God who
provided before will provide again. When we look back over our lives, we can
all testify — God has been faithful. He provided when we didn’t know how the
bills would be paid, He healed when the doctors gave up, He comforted when we
were broken.
Application:
When fear whispers that God has forgotten you, remind yourself of His past
faithfulness. If He did it before, He can do it again.
2. The Lord Has Done Great Things
Scripture Reference: Psalm 126:3 – “The Lord has done great things
for us, and we are glad.”
Joel calls the people to “be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done
marvelous things!” Even in times of trouble, we are reminded to look for
the evidence of God’s greatness — in creation, in redemption, and in our
personal testimonies.
Illustration:
Think of a time when God turned an impossible situation around. There’s the
story of a single mother who lost her job, her car, and her confidence — but
through prayer and persistence, she found a new job, rebuilt her life, and now
helps others in need. She says, “If you want to see the greatness of God,
look back at the places you thought you’d never come out of.”
Application:
Gratitude is a weapon against fear. When you start counting what God has
done, you stop worrying about what He hasn’t done yet.
3. Continue Our Faithfulness
Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary
while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
The rains didn’t come all at once — the former and latter rains both
required patience and faith. God calls us not only to rejoice in His
faithfulness but to continue being faithful ourselves.
Illustration:
A pastor once told the story of an old church member who came to service every
Sunday for 40 years, even when attendance was low and things seemed hopeless.
When asked why he kept coming, he said, “Because I don’t come to see who’s
here — I come to see Who’s faithful.”
Application:
Faithfulness in small things — prayer, service, giving, loving others —
prepares us for greater blessings. Stay consistent; your latter rain is on the
way.
4. Better Days Are Coming
Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that
I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give
you a future and a hope.”
Joel’s prophecy doesn’t end with judgment but with restoration. The
barren fields will bloom again, the trees will bear fruit, and the land will
rejoice.
Illustration:
In South Africa, after years of drought, farmers prayed desperately for rain.
When the rains finally came, the dry earth turned green overnight. One farmer
said through tears, “It felt like God was breathing on the land again.”
Application:
No matter how long your drought has lasted — emotionally, financially,
spiritually — better days are coming. The same God who allowed the drought will
send the rain.
5. Our Blessings Are Ahead
Scripture Reference: Philippians 3:13–14 – “Forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
The “latter rain” in Joel symbolizes a greater harvest — abundance after
barrenness. God’s blessings are not behind you; they are ahead of you.
Illustration:
A missionary once spent years planting seeds in a remote village with little
visible success. Years later, after he had left, a great revival broke out —
hundreds came to Christ because of the seeds he had sown long before. He never
saw the harvest, but his faithfulness produced it.
Application:
You may not see the full picture yet, but God is already working. The seeds
you’ve planted in faith will produce a harvest of blessings in due time.
Conclusion
Joel’s message echoes across the centuries: “Do not fear.”
Why?
- Because God
has been faithful.
- Because the
Lord has done great things.
- Because we
must continue our faithfulness.
- Because better
days are coming.
- And because our
blessings are ahead.
So, lift your eyes from the drought and look to the rain — the rain of
God’s promises, provision, and power. The God who was faithful yesterday is
still faithful today, and He will be faithful forevermore.
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