Finding yourself in a valley of decision

Joel 3:17-21

Do you find yourself often in a valley of decision, if so you will find this of interest, maybe even life changing?   The valley of decision Joel is referring to is the end time judgment of those who decided to live independently from God’s authority.  It’s God’s verdict being pronounced on an unbelieving world, not a decision that people are going to follow God.  

Now that is the bad news, but the good news is today if you hear the call, you can agree with God, that’s confession and repentance and asking Jesus to forgive you of taking His place, His authority and by faith trusting Him to do what He has promised.

Now the Valley of Decision will be a great and new day for Israel, not that its enemies will be judged, though that will happen.  No, the reason is they will know Yahweh, they will know their Messiah.  Many a person who goes by the name Christian does not know that God alone is our refuge and stronghold.  And many who go by the name Christian is in prison to a stronghold of self-reliance, to religion, to stuff, and to fear of loss.  But Israel on this day the day of decision, will know God as He is.

As you read verses 18-21, one can only imagine what the Creator has in store for His chosen people.  Verse 18, “And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Shittim.”   Israel will no longer be a stiff-necked people, for they will know, obey, and receive the blessing of their Father.

But a much different picture is in store for the nation of the earth that fought against Judah and Israel, and that is seen in verse 19. “Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.”  The word Egypt is used as an example of all the nations who have fought against Israel.

Now it is hard for us who are not Jewish to grasp, to understand the love of our God and Father for His chosen people.  But this is evident in Scripture, that Jesus Christ, the Messiah they rejected will be known by them, and He will dwell with His people, and they will receive pardon for their sins.

Do you understand that Jesus is your only hope of eternal life with God the Father?  That His love for you was so great that He stepped out of being worshiped in heaven, to identify with His creation.  To live a pure and perfect life, looking to the Father for all His wants and needs, because He was pure God this allowed Him to take your judgment.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice