The Lodestar

The Lord never accommodates sin of any shade, but he acts to stop it and protects his people.

Like the prophet Amos, Joel portrays the Lord as a roaring lion (Amos 1:2). As the lion roars to make his presence felt, the animals in the forest tremble since any one of them could be his prey.

Amos, Joel, and all prophets remind us that the Lord should not be treated lightly; he is a consuming fire (Deut 4:24). Both prophets describe the Lord’s judgment upon those who rebelled against him. Since the message of Amos is the roaring of this lion, it is the first verse of the book (after the title). While the Book of Amos introduces the oracles about the judgment of God against the pagan nations, Judah and then Israel, Joel sums up the details of the judgment in these verses.

The oracles of judgment in prophetic books comfort those who suffer because that marks the end of their misery; injustice and oppression have an end, and the Lord does it.

However, this verse also assures the people that the lion that roars in wrath, shaking his mane ready to pounce on, is a “refuge” for his people. A refuge is a strong hiding place, like a bomb shelter. When the bombs blow all around, those who are in the shelter are safe.

Living in a world of conflicts, wars, and destruction, we must remind ourselves that the Lord has plans to establish peace by countering the forces of destruction. The Lord, who goes against evil, also assures his people that they are safe under his wings.

Begin your day by identifying your refuge. Before checking the news or diving into your to-do list, pause and pray: “Lord, you are my shelter in the storm. Help me live today with courage, knowing you roar against evil and protect your people.”

Then, identify one area—whether in your home, workplace, or community—where injustice or spiritual compromise needs confronting. Ask God for wisdom to speak truth with love, and to be a voice of peace in the chaos.

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