I’ve been sitting in and reading the Book of Joel the past couple weeks. Can you imagine having all of the crops, plants, fields completely destroyed by insects? Imagine having a drought so bad that rivers and creeks dry up and wild fires destroy whatever the locusts didn’t? I’ve never experienced anything like it. We’ve had some dry times, but nothing that has affected all areas of my life.

Joel makes it clear that their was no food, no water, no more wine, nothing for the temple sacrifice…. things were pretty bad- desperate actually. Joel sees it, but the people around him don’t! He has to remind the drunks that once the last drop of wine is gone- it’s really all gone! There are no new grapes- the vines are gone. People were not seeing the extend of the invasion. Even if they were seeing it and feeling it- they weren’t doing what was needed to deal with it.

I wonder sometimes if I’ve got it too good. Do I see the extent of the invasion of the kingdom of darkness in the community around me? Do I see the damage that is being inflicted by the swarms of demons and followers of Satan in the lives of my neighbors and friends?

Joel’s prophetic call for you and for me is to FAST and CRY OUT to the Lord. God is the only one who could intervene and bring restoration and healing. All of the joy of mankind had withered away…

I’ve been in the church long enough that I’ve exhausted all of the ways of man. I’ve tried it my way, tried relying on my strengths and the strengths of others to bring about change and transformation- it isn’t working. We’ve got to fast and pray and seek his face.

I certainly don’t claim to have it all figured out- I don’t think Joel did either. He was desperate for God and for healing- that is where I am too. So I’ll wage war on the invaders through prayer and fasting and see what happens. The excitement is in knowing that the journey will most definitely take me closer to Jesus, and into seeing the power of the Holy Spirit released in our community.

Waging war,

Ryan