"And it shall come to pass that I will pour out my
Spirit on all flesh: Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream
dreams; your young men shall see visions." Joel writes about the disasters of his
time. The locusts came in droves devouring everything In their path. They left nothing for
the people to eat and starvation was probable. However, as we read on we find that Joel
was not as concerned about the disaster itself, as he was to how the people of Israel
would respond.
1998 has been dubbed by some as "The year of disasters." There were local
disasters such as the grain elevator explosion, and the floods that struck parts of
Wichita and many surrounding communities. There were also many disasters worldwide, such
as the hurricane in Honduras that left thousands homeless and without adequate food and
water.
Disasters, both large and small, have been and will always be a part of our lives. The
important thing in our day, just as it was in Joel’s day, is how we respond. We as a
people of God are challenged by these disasters to reach out and help those in need. Our
positive response to the needs of others is just another way that we can use the gifts
that God has given to US.
