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The Bible Study – Our readings for Tuesday, Jan. 23 are Joel 2:18-32 & Romans 11:25 – 12:13. The prophet Joel moves from the destruction to be visited on the unfaithful to blessings God will bestow on the penitent who, in the future, turn back to Him. The Lord will not permanently abandon His people. He will not allow pagans sent to discipline them to destroy or mock them. The same is true for us. God will punish rebellion. When we repent of our sins, and through the grace of God and power of the Holy Spirit turn to the Lord, He is faithful and just, and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1st John 1:9) This is the power of Confession and Absolution in the Divine Service. Verses 28-32 of Joel, Chapter 2, are quoted by Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2:16-21. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (v.28) “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (v.32) Joel’s prophecy, fulfilled initially on the Day of Pentecost, points ultimately to the return of Jesus on the final Day of the Lord. (3:2, 12). The Apostle Peter extends the “all” of Joel 2:28, and the “everyone” of verse 32, to the Gentiles who will be included in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The cosmic events described in Joel 2:30-31 will be seen again in Matthew 24:29 and throughout the Book of Revelation. By the gift of faith that the Holy Spirit works within us using God’s Word and Sacraments, we’re enabled to call on the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explains that in ways far beyond our understanding, God has, and is, acting to bring about the salvation of all people. Paul asks in Romans 11:34-36: “’For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” When we challenge our loving God’s rule and ways, disputing His authority, we’re in rebellion against Him, and are trying to make ourselves ‘gods.’ The Apostle counsels believers to focus on our walk in the Christian faith, and encourages us in Romans 12:12 to: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs