Hope

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” – Joel 2:25

 My wife and I help lead Celebrate Recovery, a biblically based 12-step ministry through our church. Through this ministry people struggling with various “Hurts, Habits, and Hangups” seek to find hope through the teachings of Jesus found in the beatitudes.
 
When we first meet these people, many have broken lives, broken relationships, and broken spirits. Like the people of Judah in Joel 1, they are at the lowest point in their lives. The locusts have destroyed everything and they have no hope. Then in Joel 2:25, God makes His promise of repayment. 
 
Advent is a time to reflect that God still delivers on His promises. Over the past year we may have done things to damage our relationships with friends, family and even with God. We may feel hopeless, but we find hope in that baby in the manger whom God sent to bring us hope and salvation.
 
God offers us grace through His son Jesus Christ and repays us for the years the locusts have eaten.
 

Mike Kenner
Petrie Memorial UMC
Pennyrile District