The Eating Habits of Locusts

What the locust swarm has left

the great locusts have eaten;

what the great locusts have left

the young locusts have eaten;

what the young locusts have left

other locusts have eaten.

Joel 1:4

Today I sit here filled with regret.  The locusts have eaten my crop and I am wondering what to do with this empty field.

Regret is not the same as simply longing for the years that were, regret desires a different outcome.  Regret wishes to make changes.  Regret wishes it wouldn't have been the way it was.

I wish...I wish...I wish....

At the same time, this feeling of never wanting to return to those years is just as strong.  The past that is behind I don't wish to dwell on.  I remember it well enough to know that God has saved me from it, from the awfulness that was, and I can contrast it to how amazing His grace and redemption are.  I look forward with hope.

And now, I must do the same here.  With this empty field.  With the brokenness that comes from poor choices and consequences that aren't pleasant.

Return to the LORD your God,

for He is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love,

and He relents from sending calamity.

Joel 1:13b

Many years have passed since I have sown this field.  And yet, I know the harvest is not ready to be reaped.  It's this in-between, the times of drought and beating sun.  What will the harvest yield?

Be glad, O people of Zion,

rejoice in the LORD your God,

for He has given you 

the autumn rains in righteousness.

He sends you abundant showers,

both autumn and spring rains, as before.

The threshing floors will be filled with grain;

the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-

the great locust and the young locust,

the other locusts and the locust swarm...

You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, 

and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,

Who has worked wonders for you...

Joel 2:23-26a

My hope is in the Lord.

  

He is with me.

He is mighty to save.

He takes great delight in me.

He will quiet me.

He will rejoice over me with singing. 

I will wait as He brings forth the harvest.