Joel answers the question from the end of the previous text. The one who endures the great and awesome day of the LORD is the one who returns to the LORD in repentance. Such repentance is not only an outward mourning, but true inward grief over sin. Such repentance is for all people and must not be delayed. Such repentance is the gift of God, whose grace and mercy draws us to Him in confession of our sins, trusting that He will be faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joel 2:12-17. 

To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitycolby.org.

“Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus. 

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org