Across the span of human history and in both covenants, the Lord has always demonstrated His compassion and unfailing love toward His people. He issued both words of hope and words of warning. Those same messages are eternal and remain applicable today.

We are commissioned to be the “awakeners,” and turn the people to the Lord, to His words, and to His ways. If we refuse to heed His warnings, we also will deafen our ears and blind our eyes to His words of hope. 

Within one generation, we see how fast a nation can disintegrate without law and order. We are watching France in real time. We’ve seen nations in the West undermined, especially through the schools and universities. Corrupt leaders have been rewriting and falsifying history to turn the younger generations away from truth and justice. Without a past, a new slate of lies has been written. 

The prophet Joel prophesied a national calamity of consuming locusts over the land. It would be a physical manifestation of the enemy who always seeks destruction (see Revelations 9:1-12). Joel gave a warning:

Listen you leaders, and everybody, everywhere! Has anything like this ever happened in your lifetime or in the days of your ancestors?

Tell your children, and tell them to tell their children, and tell their children to tell the next generation.

Powerful and innumerable enemies will invade our land. This devourer will darken the sky, devastate and destroy our harvest (see Joel 1:1-7 TPT paraphrased; see Matthew 15:9).

The prophet Joel is like all the other prophetic voices to this day. Speak words of hope and also issue warnings to all the generations. Pass your history on. Point to God who is sovereign over all the good and the bad choices we make. Forewarn of the pain and dreadful misery that is caused by unresolved destructive beliefs and behavior. 

Like Joel, call the nation to a time of fasting to hear the Lord’s message of warning and of hope:

“Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Joel 2:12-13).