In Joel’s day the nation of Israel stood at the edge of their fields and looked on what seemed to be a hopeless situation. Four swarms of locusts had invaded the land, each one worse than the previous.

“That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.” (Joel 1:4)

First, the palmerworm was a type of locust which took the tops off the crops, the fruit. People looked on with horror as there would be no crops for the year. But with any luck, the stalks which were left would produce next year.

Second, the locust swarmed in and devoured the stalks. All looked bleak, but at least the stubble was left still coming from the ground. With enough rain and favorable weather, there would be a crop again.

Third, the cankerworm came through the land and ate the stubble which was left and sticking up out of the ground. All seemed lost until the thought occurred that there was still a seed in the ground. The seed could grow again and one day we would have a crop.

Finally, a swarm of locusts arrived called the caterpillar. This attack literally consumed the seed from under the ground. Now it seemed hopeless!

What were the people going to eat? How would their families survive? How would they begin a new crop?

Joel gives an amazing word to the people in verse 3.

“Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.”

Not only were the people to tell their children, grandchildren and another generation about this, they would see their children and other generations live.

As bad as it seemed, God promised they would make it.

How bad does your situation look? Does it look like life is over, that there is no way for it to begin again? If you think God is through with your life, put your hand on your heart. Is it still beating? Then God is not through with you. As long as you are alive, God has a plan for you. Look to God’s promises.

Bob Yandian

Copyright 2009 by Bob Yandian Ministries.
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