A Heartfelt Cry

From the book of prophet Joel chapter 1:8-12

Link

Striking verse vs9:

Grain offerings and drink offerings are cut off from the house of the Lord (NIV)

The pain of a virgin grieving for the husband of her youth is more severe than pang. Here the priests that supposed to mediate between the people and GOD and minister praises, worship and adoration unto God are now mourning v 9b.
The farmers are to grieve and despair for the wheat and barley. The field is ruined, the ground is dried up, the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the olive oil fails, (as seen from v10). All that gives the people joy have gone and v12b says surely the peoples joy is withered away.

Whenever the people of God go astray and deviate from the ways of the Lord, they always encounter problems and the only way out is through genuine repentance. Joel the servant of God saw the terrible situation all around them; he lamented and told the people of Israel to mourn.
This is not just an ordinary mourning. The intensity of their mourning is seen in v 8; mourn like a virgin in sack cloth grieving for the betrothed of her youth. This is indeed a heartfelt cry.

Are these times of personal or national grief? It is time to cry out to the Lord!

PRAYER:
Lord, do not destroy us in your anger but show us mercy for we cry unto thee. Amen