Every once in a while, I will veer off the trail when I am riding my mountain bike. Usually, I can correct quick enough to get back on, but sometimes I crash and end up in a bush. The funny thing is that there were warnings that I didn’t heed before I crashed. Often I am going too fast or took my eyes off the path. Veering off the path for Christians can bring correction from the Lord
Joel 2:1
“Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near,”
The Day of the Lord
Your first reading of this verse may have you thinking this is a good thing. The “Day of the Lord” sounds like it could something exciting, but it’s not. Usually, when you blow a trumpet, it announces the arrival of a king, and to a certain extent, that is true. The King of the World, Jesus, is coming, but it is to judge. The first sign we get something is wrong is when it says “sound the alarm.” An alarm means that trouble is coming, and people need to take appropriate measures. The “Day of the Lord” is a coming judgment against Israel for its past transgressions.
An Opportunity to Grow
No one wants the judgment of the Lord if they are in a bad place with God. Hebrews tells us that God chastens those He loves. He disciplines His children, who get out of line. We should accept the correction and acknowledge that we deserved what we got and then repent and move on. Unfortunately, that is not often the case. Instead, we whine and complain. That only sets our progress back and prevents us from growing in our faith. Look at correction as an opportunity to grow.
Veering Off of the Path
God sent an army to deal with Israel. After repeated warnings which they ignored, God dealt with them. Take a cue from Israel and learn to see the signs and listen to the warnings when we get out of line. It will spare you a lot of pain and time. A heart sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction senses that they are veering off the path and then recorrects.