Day 14 - The Ultimate Stain Remover
- Pastor b.Side
- Feb 14
- 3 min read
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. - Joel 2:26
Some stains are simply impossible to remove. Depending on the cause and duration of the stain, some can leave a permanent mark, ruining various items. If this is true for spills, accidents, and tragedies, how much more concerning sin? Sin leaves a mark every time it’s committed. The stain caused by sin also introduces shame and misery that can linger long after it is committed. Thankfully, the LORD can remedy this situation and has promised to do so on our behalf. He’s even given us “proof of concept” through His work with the nation of Israel.
During the days of the prophet Joel, God judged Israel for their unrepentant sin by sending an army of locusts. The scriptures testify that these insects destroyed everything, leading to a devastating famine. You can’t rebel against God without facing consequences. You can’t deny or ignore God and expect life to continue as usual. God judges sin, and the devastation He brought upon the land of His own “special treasure” proves that He is serious about this!
“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied…”
Even though the people's sins were severe, God promised to correct and restore them. The effects of the locust plague were real! Israel was left severely weakened and hopeless by the destruction. Still, God declared that His effort to correct the souls of His people would result in the restoration of both the people and the land. God promised to forgive their sins, remove the shame caused by their transgressions, and restore the people to complete satisfaction, inspiring incredible praise!
“Who has dealt wondrously with you…”
Examining Israel's history reveals that God doesn’t lie. It’s challenging to understand how Israel has faced judgment numerous times for its sins yet continues to function and thrive today. God restored Israel from the locust plague during the days of Joel. The shame that Israel experienced in the past has been partially lifted. However, God isn’t finished yet.
“My people shall never be put to shame…”
Why would God choose a nation like Israel to be His if He knew how often He’d have to discipline them? Why would God remain faithful to the promises He made to a nation that continues to be unfaithful to Him? Why are God’s promises to Israel so abundant in blessings if they keep trying to live by their own standards? The incomprehensible love of God looks mercifully upon sinners deserving of hell, who are consumed by the shame of depravity. The incomprehensible love of God removes impurity and the shame of sin’s stain while preserving the whole to bless richly. The history of God’s work in Israel demonstrates this.
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, we’re grateful to see evidence of Your unique love. No one loves like You do. No one knowingly seeks out shameful people to restore and bless them. No one can manifest as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to address sinners like You – judging rightly while moving toward Your promises to bless. Help us maintain an attitude of gratitude. We might not fully understand Your love, but we can certainly recognize that You’ve treated us better than we deserve and will do even more for our benefit, cleansing the stains on our souls. It’s in Jesus’ name that we say THANK YOU! Amen.
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