What happens after we fast? This powerful exploration of Joel chapter 2 reveals seven extraordinary blessings that await us when we genuinely seek God through fasting and prayer. The ancient Israelites faced complete devastation—locusts had stripped everything bare, leaving no harvest, no joy, and seemingly no future. Yet in their darkest moment, they turned to God with broken hearts and genuine contrition. What follows is breathtaking: God promises His tender love, miraculous provision, divine protection, supernatural power, complete restoration, His manifest presence, and the fulfillment of every promise. The most stunning detail? God didn't just promise gradual recovery over years—the text suggests He caused the pastures to spring up supernaturally, bringing immediate fruitfulness where barrenness had reigned. This isn't ancient history; it's a blueprint for us today. When we push aside our comforts and cry out to God, when we recognize our spiritual condition and come before Him with humility, we position ourselves to see Him answer prayer, push back darkness, and restore everything the enemy has stolen. The same God who worked miracles then is watching us now, ready to manifest His presence in our lives when we take Him seriously enough to fast and pray.
