S) "5 Awake, drunkards, and weep;
And wail, all you wine drinkers,
On account of the sweet wine
That is cut off from your mouth."
Joel 1:5 (NASB)
O) The book of Joel is a bit enigmatic. It speaks of a terrible famine, but the swarms of locusts are also somewhat personified, leaving open the idea that they are symbolic representations of conquering nations. One thing is for sure, though, that the famine that is described is unprecedented (v.2), thorough (v.4), extensive (v.12), and severe to say the least. When I read through the chapter, I was coming back to this verse over and over. When I still smoked cigarettes, I knew the desperation and doom that I felt when I ran out of the substance that enslaved me. So, it's easy for me to relate to the drunkards, here. But, the verse goes on, and includes "wine drinkers" who are not necessarily, (biblically speaking) doing anything wrong. The Bible has many examples of drinking wine that are not condemning it, but here they are lumped in with the drunkards. I don't think this verse speaks to a punishment, so much as it speaks to a preparation. The theologian Matthew Henry said this, in his commentary about this verse, "The more delights we make necessary to our satisfaction the more we expose ourselves to trouble and disappointment." I don't think Joel is judging the drunkards and wine drinkers here, so much as he is sympathizing with them.
A) There was a television show called "Revolution" that had a very interesting premise. It tells of a future when electricity inexplicably disappears. When I think about the leisurely things in my life, from which I draw entertainment, gratification, and enjoyment, a lot of them are electronic. If there was, tomorrow, an electronic famine, I would awake and wail. This is a problem. I wouldn't say that I'm plainly addicted to videogames, or the internet, or TV. However, I am not prepared to lose them, per se. When read in this context, this verse is a wake up call to me about any things in my life, without which I am not prepared to live. I don't think it's wrong to enjoy foods and drinks, things, activities, or people; but if I value them too highly, then I am setting myself up for disappointment. I really think the way this works, is to be actively thankful to God for the gifts He gives me, and not take them for granted. I need to more accurately realize these things are given in grace, and that appreciation will allow me to let them go if God chooses to take them from me. I trust that His will for me is good, and I submit myself to His sovereignty. He is God and I am not. He can give, and He can take away. I choose to be grateful for either outcome.
P) Father, I don't want to have ties to this passing world. Thank You for the blessings of enjoyable things, but take them all away, God, if I start to value them too much. Remind me to correctly appreciate Your blessings. Let me see them and use them, in thanks, according to Your purpose. Please continue to change my heart, so that I seek the giver, not the gift. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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