Video devotionals · Pastor Mark Groen

Dwell in the WordJoel

The book of Joel sounds an alarm: locusts, an invading army, and the great and awesome day of the Lord. But it also carries some of the richest promises in Scripture. Return to the Lord, for he is gracious and merciful, and he will pour out his Spirit on all flesh. These seven short video devotionals walk through the whole book, one passage at a time.

7Devotionals

3Chapters

Start with episode 1 All Dwell in the Word
Dwell in the Word cover art: an open Bible with the series title. Joel

One passage at a time

The devotionals

  1. A Call to Repentance

    Joel 1:1–20

    Wave after wave of locusts has stripped the land, and an enemy nation is at the gates. Joel calls everyone, from the elders to all the inhabitants of the land, to lament and return to the Lord. Even in judgment, there is hope in turning back to God.

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  2. Who Can Endure It?

    Joel 2:1–11

    Blow a trumpet in Zion! The locusts become the picture of an unstoppable army that turns Eden into a wilderness, and Joel asks the question no one can answer alone: “Who can endure it?” Christ endured the day of the Lord for us.

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  3. Rend Your Hearts

    Joel 2:12–17

    “Return to me with all your heart.” God calls for torn hearts, not torn clothes, from every member of the congregation, and he reveals himself as gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

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  4. Restored Years and Unshakable Hope

    Joel 2:18–27

    The Lord answers his repentant people with pity and provision, restores the years the swarming locust has eaten, and promises, “My people shall never again be put to shame.”

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  5. The Spirit Poured Out

    Joel 2:28–32

    The promise Peter preached at Pentecost: God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The gospel is for all who will believe.

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  6. The Valley of Decision

    Joel 3:1–16

    The nations gather in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, plowshares become swords, and the Lord roars from Zion. Yet the same Lord is a refuge and stronghold for his people.

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  7. Streams of Life or Desolation

    Joel 3:17–21

    Joel closes with a contrast of life and desolation: mountains dripping sweet wine and a fountain flowing from the house of the Lord, and the promise that the Lord dwells in Zion.

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Fulfilled at Pentecost

The Spirit poured out

Joel 2:28–32 is the passage Peter preached at Pentecost. When the Spirit was poured out in Acts 2, the last days Joel foretold began, and the promise went out to every nation. Explore our sermons, devotions, and answers to common questions about the day the Spirit came.

Explore Pentecost

“Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Joel 2:32

Keep dwelling in the Word

Looking for more ways to stay grounded in God’s Word?

Dwell in the WordExplore more episodes and subscribe to the podcast feed.
Dwell in the Word: JonahGracious and merciful, slow to anger: the same promise at work in Nineveh.
Dwell in the Word: Hosea“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God”: the prophet just before Joel.

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