Joel 1-3  This book of prophecy starts with a picture of absolute desolation. Everything is destroyed.  There is no more grain, no more vines, no more hope.  Verse 8 tells the people to "wail like a virgin girded with sackcloth".   A bride who waits for her groom, who will never come.. sorrow upon sorrow.

Every crop has failed.  Everything is dried up and dead. The storehouses are empty. There is nothing for the cattle to graze on and even the brooks of water have dried up.  And on top of all of that a fire starts and consumes everything before them and behind them.  This is the day of the Lord.. " The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome. And who can endure it?" (2:11b)

The day of the Lord ... the day of God's judgement upon all the earth and upon every individual ever born... is coming.  All will stand before the Maker and Sovereign Lord.. and give account.  There are no excuses.. no cover-ups.. no place to hide.. when we stand before the Throne of God.

" Yet even now, 'declares the Lord', Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting and weeping and mourning; and rend you heart and not your garments . Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil." 

Come back... God calls us. "Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, gather the people.."  He calls the elders, the children, the babies, the bridegrooms and brides, the priests and the ministers... He calls us all to come to Him.. to weep.. to repent.. to come back.

And if we do.. He will forgive. He will restore.  He will "make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten."  He will bless. He will deal "wondrously" with us.  He will deliver.  And He will pour out His Spirit "on all mankind".

God will bless Jerusalem.  He will dwell in Zion.  He will be known as the God of Israel.  He will judge the nations.

Father, You are Lord of heaven and earth. The God of all creation.   You will judge every person.. justly and perfectly.  Yet, praise Your name,  You have revealed Yourself to us as  the God.. who is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness.   You hear us when we cry out to You and You have pity on us.  You forgive our sins.  You restore our souls.  You give us Your Spirit...  How can we say thank You enough?   We yield our lives, we surrender our wills,  and we praise and love You with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  Thank You! In  the name of our savior  Jesus Christ we pray, amen.