What do you think goes on in the heavenly realms on a daily basis? From God’s Word, you will not read about His saints wearing angels’ wings strumming harps while sitting on clouds, that’s for sure. You will read about lots of activity. It’s a busy place with a lot going on.
In the Old Testament, God appointed prophets to deliver messages to His people. Joel was one of God’s prophets who lived during a time when “the kingdom of Judah was in a state of disarray and was economically and spiritually declining”, taken from biblestudytools.com. God gave Joel a message and you can find it in the book of Joel.
Joel’s message is applicable for you and me today.
Joel 1 begins with a wakeup call. Life became good for God’s people, and they allowed themselves to turn away from Him. When you can meet your own needs, you tend to ignore God. Often, when God gives messages through His chosen prophets, He is needing to get the attention of His children. Every single one of us, throughout the generations, all stray like sheep. We wander away from God blindly and carelessly. Here, Joel begins with 6 action words to alert them; hear, listen, wakeup, weep, and cry out to God.
The children of God soon learned that disobedience leads to a harder life. Eventually, they would cry out, “Lord, help us!”19 And our wonderful, gracious Father steps in to help. He calls up His mighty army to battle sin that has plagued mankind since Adam and Eve were in the Garden. Joel 2 gives you a picture of what goes on in heaven.
God calls forth His army to battle for all people! It’s a moment-by-moment, 24/7/365 call for all souls!
Satan’s deception on mankind is devastating. Yet, God’s love has never been deterred by man’s silliness in trading in his own soul for a counterfeit love, one that leads to death and separation from God for eternity.
Look at all the activity that goes on in heaven: “Sound the alarm in Zion! Raise the battle cry on My holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us.”1 Heaven is always prepared to meet the needs of us sinful earthlings. Sin is real. Sin has destroyed life. Sin separates us from God, and God will stop at nothing to win us back! He is working 24/7 at convincing you and I just how much He loves us.
Pay attention to verses 2-11, you get a clear understanding what takes place in heaven. Take a minute or two and list out the activities that are enacted. Why? Because God loves you with an undying love and He will fight for you until you take your last breath on earth!
God’s army moves into battle. They march like warriors for they are God’s strongest. They move like soldiers taking down any enemy that is keeping you from trusting God. They march straight forward, never breaking rank. They know their job and they are obedient to their Commander in Chief. They never jostle one another. They are united with one mission in mind, your salvation and redemption. They can break through any and all defenses without missing a step. They move in stealth mode as they enter enemy territory.
“The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble.”10a
Joel tells us that the Lord is at the head of His army leading with a shout, see verse 11. What is He shouting? Read the rest of Joel 2 and learn of how vital it is to walk in obedience. All the endless activity taking place in heaven is for you, my friend, as well as me. God and His army work tirelessly, day after day, to keep you and I on the safe path that leads us home to Him. “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13 ESV)
Whenever you take a step backward in your faith, keep this passage in mind. If heaven does not take a break from fighting for your soul, then turn yourself around and keep believing and trusting in the One who came to die for you. He conquered death to free you from its grasp.
Carol J German 