Shall be Saved
Some heavy thoughts on an important verse
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And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.
Joel 2:32 (ESV)
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Paul quotes this verse in Romans 10.
It’s a pivotal one where he uses it to show how Christ’s work of salvation is for everyone.
Which is good news that I’m grateful for.
This passage is part of a more apocalyptic prophecy.
As much good news as there is here by telling us this, it stands out amidst some darker predictions.
Future days of God’s wrath and judgment pouring out on the world.
I used to think of these darker prophecies as part of a harsher reality of God’s holiness clashing with a sinful world.
But now I have different thoughts:
I lean more towards God using harsh circumstances to get our attention before eternal judgment.
Something I’ve learned as a marketer is that humans respond more to pain than delight.
Meaning, you get more decisive action from people when you point out a painful problem than you do casting a wonderful vision of the future.
So it makes sense to me that God would cause temporary pain while we’re on earth to get the attention of as many people as possible.
A loving God knows that some pain now is better than eternal torment forever separated from Him.
Sorry, that’s a heavy way to start the day, but that’s where this verse led me.
The best thing to do is to call upon the name of the Lord.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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