Who Knows?

The prophet Joel foretells the terror and destruction of the coming Day of the Lord. The people of his day were given to gluttony, drunkenness, and lawlessness. Because of their sin, their precious houses, fields, vineyards, and storehouses would be laid waste. But he also says this to them:

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning… Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful… Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?”

Joel 2:12-14

Truly the Lord is good! Through the gospel, he promises to forgive us, save us, and even (who knows?) restore to us what we have corrupted with our sin. Let’s return to such a gracious God with all our hearts at all times. As Joel says a few verses later, “It shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Joel 2:32).