23 Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm[b]—my great army that I sent among you.26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.27Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed...
- Joel 2:23-27
Well election season has officially passed. I'm sorry to disappoint, but I don't intend to post my thoughts and feelings that this election's outcome stirred inside me. Mostly because there is no more misunderstood or misinterpreted expressions than those transmitted electronically. More importantly, the aftermath of the category 5 hurricane of conflict and hatred that consumed this election needs to be discussed not in emails, tweets, posts, or snapchats, but talked about face to face in small groups amongst people who look and think nothing alike.
Instead I want us to remember that now is the season for thankfulness, which might be slightly more difficult to do this year. I say slightly because it doesn't take long before God's word recalls the countless underserved blessings God bestows to me each and every day. A couple weeks ago I came across Joel 2 and its beautiful description about the truth of God's provision. For while the amenities and luxuries provided by the world ultimately leave us empty, God's provision always makes us full.
Among the many signs of spiritual growth, I think one of them finds the world's meaningless offerings less and less attractive. Where once we might have been enticed by extravagant homes or luxury cars, we come to realize what initial fulfillment comes with extravagance quickly evaporates in the wake of flooded basements and flat tires. Where once we may have been charmed by fame and fortune, we eventually understand what early satisfaction arrives with achieving celebrity status or a new tax bracket often dissolves into depression and ruin.
If anything should be growing inside us, it should be our fascination and wonder at the abundance of God's provisions. Has there ever been a time when God's grace to us appeared measly? When was there ever be a moment when God's love for us seemed meager? How could there ever be an instance when God's forgiveness of us felt paltry? For the God of the universe will see to it that such precious blessings never go out of stock, nor will God permit such beautiful gifts to be discontinued.
Better are my days when I recognize the truth displayed in Joel 2 that God's provision is not only sufficient, but abundant. Lifted is my head when I admit God's bounty not only stretches beyond the boundaries of enough, but extends to the outskirts of surplus. Healed is my heart when I acknowledge God's offering not only rises to the brim of adequacy, but spills over with splashes of plenty. Renewed is my soul when I confess God's blessings will not only fill my emptiness, but restore to me all that I have lost.
So let us not tire from saying aloud all that God has done for us. Even if grief and heartache have invited themselves to your Thanksgiving table, I pray their presence does not obscure your view of the delicious abundance and tasty prosperity God has spent all your life preparing. Like the psalmist cries out, may not our crushing loss and crippling despair keep us from tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. For blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him and puts their hope in His sufficient abundance.
CJE