23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.

24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. 25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,…

“Restore” is a verb that means to return something to a previous usable state or condition, to reestablish, to return what was lost or stolen or to make something like new again. When something is restored it brings back the value and beauty to it.

“5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.””

In the meantime God wants to restore YOU. In the meantime God wants to restore YOU. He wants to bring back value and beauty. He wants to bring back value and beauty. He wants to defeat and reverse the destruction. He wants to defeat and reverse the destruction.

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you – a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."

They had turned to alcohol and partying instead of truly serving God. Joel 1:5 5 Awake, you drunkards, and weep; And wail, all you drinkers of wine, Because of the new wine, For it has been cut off from your mouth.

Eroding their lives and sabotaging their success. Eroding their lives and sabotaging their success. Wine vs. New wine is alcohol vs. the Spirit of God. Wine vs. New wine is alcohol vs. the Spirit of God.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit”

Alcohol leads to many destructive behaviors Alcohol leads to many destructive behaviors Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. God wants us to be filled with the Spirit INSTEAD (Greek ἀ λλ ὰ (alla) vs.  (de)) God wants us to be filled with the Spirit INSTEAD (Greek ἀ λλ ὰ (alla) vs.  (de)) “Debauchery” is unsaved or unchristian behavior. (from ἀ σωτία (asōtía) “a” & sotia – salvation.) “Debauchery” is unsaved or unchristian behavior. (from ἀ σωτία (asōtía) “a” & sotia – salvation.)

12 “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

“Restore to you the years…” “Restore to you the years…” God makes it so good, it seems like it never was bad. God makes it so good, it seems like it never was bad. Joel 2: Joel 2: Restoration of relationships, business, possessions, positions (coming in 2 weeks) Restoration of relationships, business, possessions, positions (coming in 2 weeks)

Repentance. Repentance. Faithfulness / Holiness. Faithfulness / Holiness. Don’t Sabotage your success. Don’t Sabotage your success.

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.