Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men!

Joel 3:9-17, Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up! Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.” Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down, O LORD, Thy mighty ones. Let the nations be aroused and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. And the LORD roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. So Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will pass through it no more.

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes notes that there is a time for war and a time for peace. The prophet speaks of a day when the Lord draws the nations of the earth to a final battle because of the great wickedness. Even now we are in a battle and we can take heart for those who are with us are greater that those who are against us. We who put our trust in Him need not fear; He is our refuge and our hope!

Clothe us in the full armor of God: use us in Your amazing plan that others may come to know You in the day in which You may be found.