“I will restore (recompense/reward) to you the years that the locusts have eaten… and you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God who has dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:25).
Locusts are devourers of every green thing in their path. Some trees they devour have taken decades to grow to maturity and produce good foliage and fruit. Some shrubs have taken years, while other crops, like grains, are seasonal. Locusts swarms are the dread of gardeners. They consume many years’ worth of growth.
In the book of Joel, a prophecy tells of a coming day when a northern army alliance comes against Israel like a swarm of locusts, destroying everything in their path. The attack causes the people to pray and seek the Lord – and He steps in with a great deliverance, destroys the northern army, and promises to “restore the years the locusts have eaten…
“I will remove far off from you the northern army… and his stink shall come up, because he has done great things. Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things! … He will cause the first and late rains to come down in the first month (Nisan), and the threshing-floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.”
The same principle holds true for individual lives. We have a very real enemy who hates all that is good and God-given. Many have suffered great losses and constant persecution from the enemy after coming to know Christ. Yet the promise of salvation includes the certainty of perfect justice and restoration. Christ’s words pulse with power to His people and His enemies… “Behold, I come back quickly. And my reward is with Me.”
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