And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:25 KJV
I was curious to see when the last time infestation of bugs on a farm was.
One that the crops were eaten up by them.
I found a story on the site: www.history.com.
It was titled, “Grasshoppers devastate Midwestern crops.”
It was published on November 13, 2009.
It read that back on July 26, 1931, there was a swarm of grasshoppers that came down on many crops throughout the American heartland.
They took out millions of acres of farmland in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Areas that were already having a severe lack of water and the lands were drying out.
There was great suffering in these areas.
It was a hard time for them all.
The large group of insects was said to be so thick that they blocked out the sun.
So thick that people were able to shovel them up with a scooper.
They ate away at all the crops and fields were left completely empty.
For many that was how they provided for their families.
It also influenced the overall economy of the state and country.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Joel spoke about a time when insects would cause severe damage to the entire nation of Judah because of their disobedience.
He warned them about the invasion of locusts like nothing any previous generation had seen (Joel 1:2).
How the locusts would lay waste to everything in their path, causing the people to end up in famine and poverty.
Joel told them that the only way the Lord would restore “the years that the locust hath eaten”, was to repent of their sins and ask God for forgiveness (v. 25).
Then their lives would prosper with a harvest of blessings.
Judah’s lesson still applies to our lives today.
Like insects, when we do wrong, sin eats away at the blessings that God has for us.
Taking away all that we need to survive in this world.
Causing our minds, bodies, and souls to cease to prosper.
God is always ready to assist and support us in our times of hardship and distress.
He is a gracious and forgiving God.
Ready to supply all our needs.
Just like Judah, we can pray to God and ask Him to spare us.
Knowing that He hears us and will answer us.
His promises are real answers to the prayers of faith.
Restoration comes when we no longer let the invasion of sin overtake us.
When we repent of our sins, turn to God, and see things turn around.
Seeing a more positive side to life.
God’s love restores all things.
How wonderful it is to see the love of God overflow in our lives.
To reap a harvest of blessings that we will enjoy in that season and seasons to come.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know that bad things can happen in our lives when we fail to listen to what You are telling us. That it can affect not only us, but it can affect all those around us. Today we are choosing to turn away from sin and put our focus on the things of the Word. To follow Your guidance. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to have an abundant life. Your love always restores.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen