Day 294..."End of Joel...Hope in the darkest hour and in death"

The Book of Joel is brief but does pack much drama. Those who hurt Israel will stand accountable before the Lord. I like the image of the "valley of decision." Have we not all been there in our lives? "Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision." Jeremiah in the lowest most devastating time of exile buys a field. How absurd! Will he ever benefit from the purchase? No. The symbolism is hope for the future. At the darkest moment he put a stake in the future. Amen. This is real faith in the face of despair.

Paul teaches about the resurrection and heaven. These passages are often quoted at funerals..."“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” We are a resurrection people. Death does not have the final word!
The Jeremiah and Paul readings make it difficult not to hope! There is reason to hope in the darkest hour and in death!