For every action there is a consequence. For the Israelites, their consequences included a prolonged plague of locusts, which ate the fruit and bark of their trees. This depleted their food supplies and left the sight of destruction to be seen for miles in every direction. Such devastation would take years from which to recover.
In the midst of their suffering, God spoke. “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locusts and the locust swarm” (Joel 2:25).
Notice three principles here.
1. Choices have consequences. The people suffered greatly, not by chance, but by choice. God brought judgment in the form of locusts.
2. God spoke in the midst of the suffering. Notice that God didn’t wait until things were better to promise great times. You may still be in the valley of pain, but God is still speaking and he promises hope while you are still in the valley.
3. God restored what the people had lost. God will bless you and give you an amazing future – better than if you had never suffered from your addiction in the first place.
Recovery Step: Reach out to God in the midst of your pain. Let him offer hope and promise. Then be willing to embrace it.
