In the Valley of Decision

Joel 3:14-16 ~ “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.”
 
All the earth shall be gathered before the LORD in the valley of decision. Our God Almighty will bring together all who have ever been. The entire population of the human race will be judged before the LORD on high. This day is coming, soon it will arrive, and no matter how a person might run or how they hope to hide, they will never escape the penetrating gaze of God. Many will be like those that the Apostle Peter spoke of in 2 Peter 3:4, “They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’” And throughout the ages of mankind, this question has been asked. Times of great turmoil and destruction have happened in the midst of the generations that have come and gone. Why are things different now? Lest we forget, dear ones, God offers warnings and moments that should stir up our hearts to seek Him. Those times of testing, and days of great unrest are but the birth-pains that Jesus spoke of (see Matthew 24:8). But another day will come—a day that will bring about the final judgment of God.
 
Our text opens today with this declaration, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” This pronouncement is the decree of God that all humanity will be gathered. It is “multitudes of multitudes” or “multitudes beyond count” that is recorded in this text. You will be there and so will I. Everyone who is in Christ will be there as well as everyone who stands apart from Christ. And where will they be? They will be in the “valley of decision.” We find this great multitude gathered in Revelation 20:11-12, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life.” There in that place the LORD Almighty holds the records of all those who lived on the earth. No argument will be permitted, for God’s records are absolute. It is called the “day of the LORD” for there will be no other who will speak, no other who will give a defense, no other who will have any say in the matter of God’s final verdict. Amos 5:18 says, “Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light.” Our text even reminds us that the sun, moon and stars will be stripped of light, “The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.” How could they possibly shine their lights when the LORD comes in His vengeance against the wickedness of man. As the sun went dark when Jesus was crucified for the sins of man, so the universe will go dark at the final judgment of the Almighty.
 
Too many take lightly the fury of the LORD against the sins of man. Our text continues, “The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake.” The prophet, Isaiah, reminds us, “For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire” (Isaiah 66:15). The terror of the LORD will fall upon all mankind in that day and creation itself will tremble and quake with His wrath. The LORD is patient, and He waits for all who will believe. But God’s patience will come to a close and He will finally and fully put an end to sin and rebellion against Him. Do we not know that the LORD is God? Shall we not tremble in His presence? The LORD asks in Jeremiah 5:22, “Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me?”
 
And yet, the LORD is a place of safety for His people. We read the conclusion of our text today, “But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.” Where the world will try to flee from the coming wrath of God, the believer will run to the waiting arms of the Savior. As they cry out for the rocks to hide them (see Revelation 6:15-17), the people of God see the coming King of kings and rejoice—for God is their refuge and not their judge. With their names written in the Book of Life, their judgment was borne by the LORD Jesus.
 
So, let me ask, beloved, where will you stand in the valley of decision? Will you be with the LORD or with the world? The day is coming and will soon be here when all will stand before God. Only those who stand with Christ will find refuge from His wrath.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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