Joel 1-3

“Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments” (2:12-13). God gave Joel a terrifying vision of judgment. “The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome” (v11), and before His army “the earth quakes, the heavens tremble” (v10). But God does not want anyone to perish, and so in the same prophecy He called Israel to repentance.

“For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness” (v13). When we repent, He pours out forgiveness, makes us holy, and even fills us with His Spirit (2:28).