Word for the day by Christian Education Education Forum

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 Reformation Sunday:  “The Church that has to be Reformed”

Joel 2:12-17
 “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The passage for our meditation is “a call to repentance” to the people of Israel through Prophet Joel by the Almighty God.  In the Old Testament, we see that when Israel sinned and had gone astray from God’s ways, God sent prophets to warn the people of the coming judgment.  Chapter 1 of Joel describes the land suffering massive devastation caused by a locust plague and drought. The prophet calls for national repentance and reformation.
If we look at the world today, it is plagued with so much violence with no regard for human life, moral degradation, pandemics, wars, climatic changes etc.  The world is facing unprecedented danger.  The Nuclear Dooms-day clock is closer to the midnight hour, with the potential for nuclear war so real. Many students of the Bible think that the Day of the Lord is at hand.
In order to prepare for the Day of the Lord, there are three steps that we, the Church, the called-out community, have to follow.  First, we see a call to repentance in verses 12 -14, with fasting and weeping and mourning.  We need to return to the gracious and merciful Lord with broken hearts.   If we demonstrate genuine repentance, God will forgive our sins and bless us.  
Second, warn others of the immediate danger (v.15: Blow the trumpet). It is the Church’s responsibility to sound the warning alarm.  Recently during a tornado, the tornado warning siren failed in one of the suburbs of Chicago, and many people said that they did not hear the warning and hence seek shelter.  
Third, we are to intercede for others (vs.16-17).  Just like Abraham interceded for Lot and for the people of Sodom, as Moses interceded on behalf of the people of Israel, we are chosen by God to intercede for the people.  
So, the church needs to repent and reform and then send the warning signs and intercede for others.
 

Prayer
Lord, as members of the church, called in your name, help us to repent of our sins and stand in the gap for others, so that You will forgive our sins and heal our land. Amen. 

 Thought for the Day
Are we really continuing in the path of Reformation that happened in the Malankara Church about 150 years ago?  If not, it is time to come back to the roots – revival and renewal – repenting of our sins, warning others, and standing in the gap for others.


          Dr. Annamma Sadhu, 
Bethel MTC, Frankfort, Illinois

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