“You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied

And praise the name of the Lord your God,

Who has dealt wondrously with you;

Then My people will never be put to shame."

The Lord makes a promise: after chastisement and faith in Christ, He will make us unashamed. He'll bless us with Christ and the Spirit.

First, after the pain comes joy. We've done wickedly, but we'll be recovered. He'll use us now.

He had to break us down, because He could not bless our works. It was unbelief, pride, and hypocrisy. It was self righteousness. We were looking to ourselves and to our strength. We wanted grandeur, praise, and easy living. We served ourselves in His name, so He humbled us to nothing. Joel 1:16, “Hasn’t the food been cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God?” He took joy and peace away. He confused us and destroyed our works. He scattered our hopes to the wind and showed Himself a lion. The God we rejoiced in became grieved, and we felt His displeasure [Eph 4:30].

Oh, how hard life is without Christ - trying to live for Him in human strength without the atonement easing our mind. How weak we are without the Spirit. We are lost, burdened, and afflicted, wandering in the desert without water. Psalms 107:4, “Some wandered in the desolate wilderness, finding no way to a city where they could live.”

The time comes, however, when He restores Himself. He comes to give us repentance. He sends the plague to warn us. He stops us from going too far. He gives a word and says, "Turn," and we do it. Joel 2:12-13, “Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.” We come back to find Him merciful!

Secondly, now that He's brought us back, let the good times roll. Let's not look at affliction and think He's cruel. Let's believe the promises. The problem wasn't evil in God. We went the wrong way. Now, with Christ and the Spirit… with God as your loving Father… expect the good. Oh, how He'll be faithful. You'll have what could have been, which is God on your side in help and strength. Joel 2:25, “I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you.” You'll have joy in obedience, and He'll enable you.

Now, the help of the Spirit is yours. You've seen others serve Him, but your time has come. Fear of man, guilt, and shame are removed. Blessings are on the table. God's love has wiped away your sins, and He rejoices to work through you now, “working in you what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ [Heb 13:21].” Christ is your ambition, and He's your power. Look to His love and believe. YOU CAN do all through Christ.

Thirdly, this promise is for faith. All who believe have it. There are no preparations needed, if you believe Him now. Don't compare your strength with others. All are weak and contemptible. Look upon God through Christ. His greatness makes this a reality. Look at Abraham and Moses. In themselves, barren believers. In Christ, filled with power. Sarah believed, after years of unbelief, and it happened! Hebrews 11:11, “By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.” Zechariah's mouth is opened [Luke 1:64]. The promise is valid and for the taking. He'll make you serve Christ.

You can't have power for your glory, but to serve Christ and help people, He'll give it. You'll praise Him, knowing that He did it. Thanksgiving will be real. Humble yourself, and He'll exalt you. Look to God to do everything through Christ!