August 14, 2026 - Joel 1-3

“The day of the Lord” (1:15; 2:1, 11) is an awful day of reckoning, and “who can endure it?” (2:11).  Even so, the call is given:  “Yet even now . . . return to me with all your heart . . . return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (2:12,13)  We’ve come across this sort of situation and God’s plea for his people to return to him, haven’t we?

Come, let us to the Lord our God

with contrite hearts return;

our God is gracious, nor will leave

the desolate to mourn.

His voice commands the tempest forth,

and stills the stormy wave;

and though his arm be strong to smite,

'tis also strong to save.

Long has the night of sorrow reigned;

the dawn shall bring us light;

God shall appear, and we shall rise

with gladness in his sight.   --John Morrison (1781)