Reading Joel

So I picked up the Bible yesterday morning and decided to read one of the minor prophets, Joel.  After about one page of reading, I fell asleep, so I picked it back up today.  Here's what I read:

"Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in this land.  Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers?  Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation....A nation has invaded my land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness.  It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees.  It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white....all the trees of the field -- are dried up.  Surely the joy of mankind is withered away...To you, O Lord, I call, for fire has devoured the open pastures and flames have burned up all the trees of the field....

It's interesting in this scripture to see the multiple ways that the invading nation is portrayed -- as a devourer, as a flame.  It's tempting to view these invaders as agents of the Lord's wrath.  But there is a turn later on in the book of Joel, and God speaks.  He declares, 

"'Even now,' he declares, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'  Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity....

The book goes on to make several statements about God's character and promises to the people of Judah, and speaks to God's people being scattered among the nations.  His last promise is to pardon his people at the end of time.  It is a powerful promise and one that we should not take lightly.  So as I read this, it helped me put the events of our time into perspective -- similar things to what happens today have happened before, and the answer to those calamities is to turn to God for salvation.  God is good, and he is on the side of good.  This is all just something to keep in mind in times of turmoil and stress of any kind.  It's the kind of thing that builds my faith, regardless of circumstances.