No More "Just Passing Through"

16 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.

17 “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God,
    who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.
And Jerusalem shall be holy,    and strangers shall never again pass through it.

(Joel 3)

"Just passing through..."  It's the impersonal comment of non-commitment.  We say it when we just happen to be in the area so we stop by to enjoy something temporary before moving on.  Israel had had its share of armies passing through: Eygpt, Assyria, Bablyon - as well as those from around them who would come and attack to plunder, like Syria, Edom, and the Philistines.  Joel's message was comparatively brief but powerful. God was judging Israel for her rebellion, but she was not going to be alone, and the coming judgement would be far more severe on wicked, unrepentant nations who mercilessly plundered His people.  God is the eternal, powerful and personal God Who is going to come in power and stick around forever, keeping "passer-through-ers" out forever.  He is our stability in every vulerability.