Southern Gospel

The Years The Cankerworm Stole, Joel 2 25

Joel 2 25

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I stumbled down a crooked trail

Felt like every hope would fail

The winter nights were long and cold

I nearly let go of the fold

[Verse 2]

The little things that took my joy

Like troubles come to just destroy

They left a valley dark and deep

And stole the peace I couldn't keep

[Chorus]

But praise the Lord, He came to save!

And bring back every single day

The years the worms have taken down

He sets my feet on higher ground!

He brings back joy, He sets me free

Lord Jesus heals my history!

[Verse 3]

So now I'm kneeling at His feet

Where mercy and forgiveness meet

I wash my hands of all my sin

And let the Savior reign within

[Bridge]

He heard my plea, He broke the chain

Like sweet relief after the rain

What once was lost is found today

He washed my heavy heart away!

He poured His grace into my soul

And made this broken spirit whole!

[Chorus]

Oh, praise the Lord, He came to save!

And bring back every single day

The years the worms have taken down

He sets my feet on higher ground!

He brings back joy, He sets me free

Lord Jesus heals my history!

[Outro]

He gives back the lost years

Jesus wipes away my tears!

He is my Lord, my Savior King

Forevermore His praise I'll sing!

Glory, glory, praise His name!

[Big quartet tag, piano flourish finish]

Study notes

1. The Immediate Historical Meaning The Locust Plague: The prophet Joel originally spoke to the nation of Israel after a catastrophic natural disaster. Swarms of locusts had stripped the land bare, destroying crops and food supplies over multiple years. A Call to Repentance: The disaster served as a wakeup call following a time of spiritual drifting. When the people humbled themselves and turned back to God, He promised physical and material renewal—replenishing their fields with an abundance of grain, wine, and oil so they would once again be fully satisfied. 2. The Deeper Spiritual Message God as the Restorer: Beyond crops and harvests, the verse reveals God’s fundamental character as a compassionate restorer. He is able to mend what was broken and breathe life back into ruined circumstances. Recovery of Lost Time: While humans cannot rewind time or reverse the ticking clock, God promises the "impossible"—to redeem and compensate for seasons of pain, grief, failure, or wasted years. Hope for the Future: For anyone facing deep disappointment, regret, or hardship, the verse stands as an enduring reminder that past devastation does not dictate your final story, and God can bring beauty and fruitfulness out of ashes. -Google

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